Patna: Work is progressing on the Raxaul-Haldia Greenfield Expressway project, which will give a new impetus to road connectivity in Eastern India including Bihar. This 6-lane expressway can also become an important link for India-Nepal trade by connecting Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
12 districts of Bihar will get benefit
The proposed route will pass through about 12 districts of Bihar. These include East Champaran, Shivhar, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Lakhisarai, Munger, Jamui and Banka. Its longest part is planned to be built in Bihar.
Direct connection from Raxaul to Haldia
The proposed project, about 650 to 719 km long, will start from Raxaul on the India-Nepal border and reach Haldia Port in West Bengal. There is a plan to prepare this road with controlled entry and exit suitable for a speed of about 120 km per hour. This can help in saving time in freight transportation and long distance travel.
Promotion of business and employment
The Raxaul region is already important for trade with Nepal. The construction of the expressway is expected to ease the movement of goods vehicles and also boost logistics activities. Development of warehousing and industrial activities around it can also create employment opportunities at the local level.
Target to be completed by 2028
The estimated cost of the project is said to be around Rs 39 thousand to Rs 54 thousand crore. Land related processes and other preparations are being taken forward. The project is targeted to be completed by 2028. Once it is ready, the connectivity between Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal is also expected to be strengthened.