Patna: The Bihar government has approved the road map for the ambitious Raxaul-Haldia Six-Lane Expressway project, expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity and economic activity across Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The expressway, which will cost an estimated Rs 39,600 crore, was reviewed during a meeting chaired by Bihar Road Construction Minister Nitin Naveen on Wednesday.
The 650-kilometre greenfield expressway will link Raxaul, near the India-Nepal border, to the port town of Haldia in West Bengal. Designed for a top speed of 120 kmph, it is projected to cut travel time from the current 19–20 hours to just 10–11 hours. The access-controlled corridor is expected to reduce accidents and improve safety by allowing entry only at designated points.
“This expressway will not only reduce travel time but also promote safer journeys, create employment, and enhance trade—both within India and with neighbouring Nepal,” said Naveen. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari for supporting the project, which aligns with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s vision of connecting every part of the state to the capital within a fixed time frame.
The expressway will traverse eight districts in Bihar—East Champaran, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, and Banka—and include a 4.5 km bridge over the Ganga River between Begusarai and Suryagarha. Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have been directed to expedite the preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) and other necessary approvals.
The meeting also reviewed several infrastructure projects in East and West Champaran, including the Bettiah-Patna High-Speed Corridor (NH-139W), realignment of NH-727 outside Valmiki Tiger Reserve, and a flyover near Bettiah railway station. The minister stressed timely implementation and thanked the central government for its continuous support in developing the region.
