State Road Construction Minister Nand Kishore Yadav, on Tuesday, said the Japan Bank of International Corporation (JBIC) has agreed to fund the construction of three highways under the Buddhist circuit in Bihar at a substantially low interest rate and the work would begin soon after the initial formalities are completed.
Construction would first begin on Patna-Jehanabad-Bodh Gaya road since this is the most frequently traveled road by Buddhist tourists who arrive from countries like Japan, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and other Far-Eastern nations, sources said.
Other highways to be developed to international standard include Bodh Gaya-Rajgir road and Hajipur-Deoria road that would encompass many parts of Hajipur, Yadav said.
"We had been pursuing this (loan from the Japanese bank) for quite some time and now that an agreement has been reached, pending some formalities, work would begin on these three highways soon," the minister said.
(Source-Patna Daily,02/01/07)
