Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has announced a plan to develop a 126-kilometre Marine Drive along the Ganga, with an estimated investment of ₹70,000 crore. The proposed corridor would extend the state’s riverfront road network from the Patna region towards Koilwar on the Son River.
The announcement was made on August 23 during the concluding ceremony of an Employment Fair at Gyan Bhawan near Gandhi Maidan in Patna. The Chief Minister said the project is aimed at improving infrastructure while creating employment and attracting private investment.
₹70,000 Crore Investment Proposed
According to the plan outlined by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, the proposed investment would be divided between the state government and the private sector.
The proposed structure is:
- ₹20,000 crore – Bihar government contribution
- ₹50,000 crore – Expected private-sector investment
- ₹70,000 crore – Total estimated investment
- 126 km – Proposed length of the corridor
Choudhary said the project would create new opportunities for investment and employment along the proposed route.
J.P. Ganga Path to Form the Base
The proposed corridor will build on the existing J.P. Ganga Path in Patna, which has become popularly known as the city’s Marine Drive.
According to the Chief Minister, the existing road stretch is around 21 kilometres long. The project was initiated in 2013 and completed in 2025 at an estimated cost of around ₹6,000 crore.
The new proposal would significantly expand the riverfront road network beyond Patna and connect it with a much longer stretch along the Ganga.
Corridor to Connect Infrastructure and Economic Growth
The government is presenting the proposed Marine Drive as more than a connectivity project. The extended corridor is expected to create opportunities for economic activity and private-sector participation.
The project could support:
- Improved river-side road connectivity
- Expansion of infrastructure along the Ganga
- Greater private investment
- New employment opportunities
- Growth of commercial and economic activities
- Wider urban and regional connectivity
Announcement Made at Employment Fair
The project announcement came during an employment-focused programme organised by the Department of Youth, Employment and Skill Development.
Offer letters were distributed to candidates selected by various employers during the event. The government linked the proposed infrastructure investment with its wider focus on employment generation and creating new economic opportunities for young people.
Government and Private Sector to Share Investment
The proposed financing model places a significant share of the investment on the private sector, with ₹50,000 crore expected to come from private entities.
The Bihar government has proposed contributing ₹20,000 crore towards the project. The detailed financing structure, implementation mechanism and execution plan will determine how the proposal moves forward.
Proposed Corridor Could Expand Bihar’s Riverfront Network
If implemented, the 126-km Marine Drive would represent a major expansion of Bihar’s existing riverfront infrastructure.
The proposal would take the concept of the J.P. Ganga Path beyond Patna and create a much larger corridor along the Ganga, potentially supporting connectivity, investment and employment across the region.
For now, the ₹70,000-crore, 126-km Marine Drive remains a government proposal, with its detailed execution and financing framework to be worked out as the project progresses.