PATNA, Aug. 8 -- Bihar signed a Rs.21,000-crore long-term financing agreement with NABARD on Friday to fund road and bridge infrastructure across the state, a communique from the chief minister's office said. The pact will provide an impetus to Bihar's upcoming road and bridge infrastructure projects, the release said. The memorandum of understanding between the Road Construction Department and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development was signed at the Sankalp auditorium in Lok Sewak Awas, in the presence of Bihar chief minister Samrat Choudhary. Department secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal and NABARD chairman Shaji Krishnan V signed on behalf of their respective sides. The press release quoting Choudhary said the funding would primarily benefit rural areas, where improved road connectivity would ease movement and boost economic activity. He urged the Nabard to keep the interest rate lower than 8% in Bihar, and said the long-term financing would strengthen the state's ability to execute road and bridge projects going forward. NABARD chairman Shaji KV said Bihar was developing rapidly and reaffirmed the bank's commitment to supporting the state's infrastructure needs. The CM also released a book, "NABARD in Bihar," at the event, and felicitated three artisans with GI certificates for their work in traditional crafts: Sanjeev Sinha of Bhojpur (Pidiya painting), Ravindra Nath Gaur of Gaya (stone-cutting) and Suresh Dev of Nalanda (Bawan Booti art). Deputy CM Bijendra Prasad Yadav, road construction department minister Kumar Sailendra, CM's principal secretary Deepak Kumar, NABARD chief general manager Gautam Kumar Singh, and state government officials attended the event. Elsewhere, the CM also inspected the phase-II construction of the Mithapur-Mahuli elevated road on Thursday. Officials said the Mithapur-to-Sipara stretch was in its final stage and would soon connect to the old flyover at Patna Junction, easing traffic for south Patna's Mithapur, Sipara, Etwarpur, Parsa and Kurthaul areas. Choudhary directed officials to finish the remaining work on schedule without compromising quality, according to the press release....