Patna. Bihar may see a major expansion of road connectivity in the coming times. Work on five big greenfield expressway projects costing about Rs 80 thousand crore is progressing at different levels in the state. These are expected to strengthen connectivity with Bihar up to Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Nepal border.
1. Buxar-Bhagalpur Expressway
This 336 km long six-lane access-controlled expressway is proposed from Buxar to Bhagalpur. Its route is planned to pass through districts like Bhojpur, Arwal, Jehanabad, Gaya, Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Jamui and Banka. This is expected to provide fast connectivity to many parts of South Bihar.
2. Amas-Darbhanga Expressway
About 190 km long four-lane greenfield corridor is being built from Amas in Gaya to Darbhanga. It is part of NH-119D and will connect Gaya, Jehanabad, Patna, Vaishali, Samastipur and Darbhanga regions. Once the project is completed, travel between these areas is expected to become easier and faster.
3. Patna-Purnia Expressway
This project is important to connect Patna region with North-Eastern Bihar. The proposed route is planned to extend from Hajipur area to Purnia area via Samastipur, Darbhanga, Saharsa and Madhepura. Facilities like interchanges, bridges, railway overbridges and underpasses are to be developed along the way.
4. Raxaul-Haldia Expressway
The portion of this 585 km long project in Bihar is said to be around 408 km. It will connect Raxaul, located near the Nepal border, to Haldia port in West Bengal. This can make it easier for goods coming from Nepal and Bihar to reach the port and is expected to boost trade and freight traffic.
5. Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway
The portion of this six-lane greenfield corridor in Bihar is said to be about 417 kilometers. With this, districts like West Champaran, East Champaran, Shivhar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj can be connected with better road network. This corridor can further help in strengthening connectivity with West Bengal and the North-Eastern region.