New Delhi, July 6:

India’s Bihar state government is expanding roads in the areas bordering Nepal.

The construction of the roads, with financial assistance from the central government, is being undertaken in view of the growing Maoist-Naxalites.

A 702-km-long road will be built along the Nepal border, Bihar’s Minister of Roads and Construction Nanda Kishore Yadav told reporters in Patna, the state capital, today.

He added that the central government has provided Rs 7,86,00,00,000 for the construction of the road which will link seven districts in Bihar along

the border. He said the road is being built to curb the ever growing Maoist terror in the districts.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said a huge amount would be spent on road construction and modernisation of the security measures in view of the worsening law and order situation in Nepal and the Maoist terror in Bihar and adjoining states.

Roads will be standardised and expanded as the deteriorating condition of the roads has weakened the efficiency of security personnel stationed along the borders, he said.

A fund of INR 1.780 billion has been allocated for the modernisation of the security personnel, he said.

The Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB), the central government and the border management unit of the Union Home Ministry will work for the expansion of the roads, special secretary to the Bihar Home Ministry PN Roy said.

The SSB wants all-weather roads for effective patrolling, he said. Besides, the central government will provide Rs 7 billion to the Bihar government for border management.

The Indian government has already given permission to Nepal to build four modern integrated checkposts at Raxaul, Jogbani, Sunauli and Nepalgunj.