The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the Government of Bihar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for scientific desilting of rivers and other water bodies and the use of suitable excavated silt in National Highway construction projects across the state. The agreement was signed in New Delhi on November 3 in the presence of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary under the ‘Nadi Sanjivani’ initiative.
Under the agreement, 243 lakh cubic metres of suitable silt will be utilised in 16 ongoing National Highway projects, while another 835 lakh cubic metres has been identified for use in 27 future projects, subject to technical suitability and necessary approvals. The initiative aims to address the problem of silt accumulation in rivers, which affects their water-carrying capacity and contributes to recurring floods, while providing an alternative source of construction material for highway development.
Bihar faces recurring flooding, particularly from rivers originating in Nepal that carry substantial quantities of water and sediment into the state. Scientific desilting is expected to improve water flow and drainage, restore water bodies and reduce flood-related risks. The use of excavated silt in road construction will also reduce dependence on fresh earth and agricultural topsoil, helping conserve productive agricultural land and lower construction costs.
Currently, 39 National Highway projects covering approximately 1,561 km, with an estimated investment of ₹58,340 crore, are under construction in Bihar. Another 11 projects covering around 1,982 km and involving an estimated investment of ₹1,85,200 crore have been proposed. The availability of suitable excavated material is expected to meet a significant part of the earthwork requirements for these projects and support timely execution.
The MoU provides for coordinated implementation between the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Bihar Government under the Bihar Water Sources Restoration and Silt Management Policy, 2026. The state’s Road Construction Department will serve as the nodal department, supported by a state-level coordination committee to examine proposals, facilitate approvals and monitor implementation.
Desilting will be carried out after technical assessments of identified water bodies and only at approved locations within prescribed limits. The extracted material will undergo testing in accordance with applicable MoRTH specifications and Indian Roads Congress (IRC) codes before being used in highway construction. The agreement also provides for joint measurements, digital records and regular monitoring to ensure transparency and prevent damage to river ecosystems, embankments, riverbanks, bridges and other structures.
Gadkari said the initiative would bring river restoration and highway development together by making excavated silt available for infrastructure projects while improving the condition of water bodies. He also expressed the possibility of extending the model to other states facing similar challenges.
The initiative is expected to support Bihar’s highway expansion while addressing long-standing concerns related to river silt accumulation, flood management and conservation of agricultural resources.