Patna: The Bihar government is undertaking an ambitious infrastructure project to transform Patna into a world-class city and ease chronic traffic congestion, with the construction of a 150-km-long ring road network at an estimated cost of Rs 15,000 crore.
Planned on the lines of Delhiās ring road, the project aims to provide signal-free, high-speed connectivity around the state capital. Vehicles will be able to travel at speeds of up to 80 kmph, as the road will be designed with access-controlled corridors to minimise accidents and ensure smoother traffic flow.
Once completed, vehicles coming from outside will be able to bypass Patna city and directly access neighbouring districts such as Vaishali, Saran, Ara, and Buxar. Officials say this will significantly reduce urban congestion while also promoting the development of new suburban areas around the capital.
The Patna Ring Road will form a circular network covering approximately 1,350 square kilometres. The project is being executed under the Prime Ministerās package and the Bharatmala scheme, and is expected to reshape the urban and economic landscape of Patna and surrounding regions.
So far, a 39.16-km stretch between Kanhauli and Ramnagar has been completed at a cost of Rs 984 crore. A proposal for the 37.35-km DighwaraāBidupur alignment on the northern side of the Ganga has been sent for central approval. On the southern side, construction of both greenfield and brownfield corridors is currently underway.
The six-lane ring road will include access-controlled sections to enhance safety. Entry and exit points will be designated, preventing vehicles from joining or leaving the main carriageway at random, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.
According to officials, the main alignment of the ring road will begin near Kanhauli in Bihta and pass through Naubatpur, Ramnagar, Kacchi Dargah, Bidupur in Vaishali, Hajipur, Sonepur, Dighwara, and Sherpur before reconnecting to its starting point. The network will be linked to 12 national highways and five state highways. Two major bridges over the GangaāKacchi DargahāBidupur and SherpurāDighwaraāare also part of the project.
Road Construction Minister Dilip Jaiswal said the ring road will incorporate modern engineering features similar to those used in Delhi, including interchanges such as flyovers and underpasses for seamless movement. An Intelligent Transport System (ITS) may also be implemented to monitor and manage traffic flow through real-time data and adaptive systems.
He said a significant portion of the project is greenfield, allowing for straighter alignments that support higher speeds and efficient connectivity.
Officials believe the ring road will act as an economic lifeline for Bihar by boosting industrial growth, improving logistics efficiency, and reducing transportation costs. It is also expected to attract investment in regions like Saran, Vaishali, and the outskirts of Patna, leading to the development of industrial clusters, real estate expansion, and organised satellite townships.
Describing the project as transformative, Jaiswal said, āThe Patna Ring Road is a fine example of modern engineering and strategic planning. It is designed to reduce traffic pressure in the capital and accelerate regional development. This is not just a highway, but a gateway to a developed Bihar and a step towards making Patna a global investment destination.ā
