Route Finalized for Buxar-Bhagalpur Expressway, Greenfield Plan Dropped
Patna: The much-awaited Buxar-Bhagalpur Expressway has finally received clarity on its route, as mentioned in the Union Budget 2025-26. The project, which was allocated funds in the 2024-25 budget, had faced uncertainty regarding its construction, detailed project report (DPR), and route.
Earlier, the expressway was proposed to pass through Dumraon, Piro, Arwal, Jehanabad, and Nawada. However, the latest plan finalizes a new route via Patna, Mokama, and Munger before reaching Bhagalpur.
Contrary to initial claims of a completely greenfield expressway, the budget report confirms that existing roads will be upgraded instead of constructing an entirely new route.
Project Details and Upgradation Plan
- Total length: 360 km
- Existing four-lane roads: 280 km
- Remaining stretch to be widened: 78.5 km (Mokama-Munger)
- Estimated cost for four-lane work: ₹3,750 crore
- DPR status: Under preparation, alignment finalized for the Mokama-Munger section
Budget Allocation and Expressway Network Expansion
The Union Budget 2024-25 had earmarked ₹26,000 crore for major road projects, including:
- Patna-Purnia Expressway
- Buxar-Bhagalpur Expressway
- Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Vaishali, and Darbhanga Spur
From this, ₹20,000 crore will be exclusively used for the 300-km Patna-Purnia Expressway. DPR preparation is already underway, and the project is expected to be awarded to an agency by March 2026.
Three-Lane Bridge to Be Built Instead of Two-Lane at Buxar
A new three-lane bridge will be constructed between Buxar and Bharouli (Ballia, UP) at an estimated cost of ₹444.18 crore. While the previous budget had proposed a two-lane bridge, the latest report confirms an upgrade to a three-lane structure. The tender process for the project was initiated before the budget announcement.
Highway to Be Converted into Expressway
The finalized route for the Buxar-Bhagalpur Expressway will use the existing highways:
- Buxar-Ara-Patna (NH-922, four-lane)
- Patna-Munger (NH-31, four-lane)
- Munger-Bhagalpur (NH-33, four-lane)
While these sections are already four-lane roads, they do not meet expressway access-control standards. The budget report does not clarify what access-control measures will be implemented to meet expressway specifications.
The project is expected to significantly boost connectivity in Bihar, linking western districts like Buxar to key commercial hubs such as Bhagalpur, Patna, and Munger. Further updates on land acquisition and construction timelines are awaited.
