Bihar Government Responds to Viral Culvert Photo Controversy

The Bihar government clarified on Tuesday that a culvert's image, shared on social media, was misleadingly claimed to be built in an open field. Additional Chief Secretary of the Rural Works Department (RWD), Dipak Kumar Singh, explained that the photograph shows a culvert over the Dulardai rivulet in Raniganj block, Araria district. The image was taken when the rivulet was dry.

Project Details and Current Status

The culvert is part of a 3.2-km-long road project, with most of the work completed. However, construction near the culvert has been halted. "We have fresh photographs of the culvert," Singh stated. The project, costing over Rs 3 crore, is under the Mukhya Mantri Gram Sampark Yojana (MMGSY).

Local Disputes and Obstructions

An RWD official mentioned that some locals have obstructed work, claiming it was private land. To resolve this issue, the department has contacted the circle officer of Raniganj block. When the project began on April 27, 2023, no one claimed ownership of the land. However, objections arose when officials started connecting the culvert to village roads.

The official from Forbesganj division noted that work commenced after verifying revenue records of the land. Despite initial clearance, disputes emerged later, causing delays in completing the project.

The Bihar government aims to address these issues promptly to resume and complete the road construction efficiently.