MoRTH, Govt of Bihar sign MoU to use desilted material in NH projects

New Delhi: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the Bihar Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for scientific desilting of rivers and other water bodies and utilisation of suitable excavated silt in National Highway projects across the state.

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Signed in the presence of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, the initiative, titled ‘Nadi Sanjivani’, aims to improve the water-carrying capacity of rivers, reduce flood risks and provide an alternative source of construction material for highway development.

Under the initiative, 243 lakh cubic metres of suitable silt will be utilised in 16 ongoing National Highway projects, while another 835 lakh cubic metres is proposed to be used in 27 future projects, subject to technical suitability and necessary approvals.

According to the government, NHAI currently has 39 projects covering approximately 1,561 km, involving an estimated investment of Rs 58,340 crore, under construction in Bihar. Another 11 projects covering around 1,982 km, with an estimated investment of Rs 1,85,200 crore, are proposed.

The initiative is expected to reduce dependence on fresh earth material, lower construction costs and help conserve agricultural land. Scientific desilting is also expected to improve drainage, support irrigation and groundwater recharge, and strengthen flood management.

The MoU provides for coordinated implementation by NHAI and the Bihar Government, with the state's Road Construction Department acting as the nodal department. Desilting will be undertaken after technical assessments, with environmental safeguards, quality testing and monitoring mechanisms in place.

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The initiative will be implemented in accordance with the Bihar Water Sources Restoration and Silt Management Policy, 2026, and applicable environmental and statutory provisions.

The MoU marks an effort to integrate river restoration and flood management with highway infrastructure development through the productive utilisation of excavated silt.

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