Patna: Bihar is set to strengthen its road network with the construction of seven new bypasses designed to improve inter-district connectivity, ease congestion in urban centres and streamline traffic on key National Highways.
Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year after the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways initiated the process of selecting agencies to execute the projects.
Seven Bypasses Planned
The proposed projects include bypasses at Arwal, Mangobandar, Kendua, Tolsono, Jhajha, Narganjo and Bhairoganj.
Once completed, the bypasses are expected to divert long-distance traffic away from town centres, reducing congestion while allowing smoother movement of local vehicles.
NH-333A To Get Major Upgrade
According to officials, six of the proposed bypasses will be built along National Highway 333A, covering a combined length of 19.45 kilometres.
The project also includes the widening of two stretches of NH-333A, spanning 21.821 kilometres, to two-lane carriageways with paved shoulders. These sections are no longer under the Defect Liability Period (DLP), allowing them to be upgraded.
The improvements are expected to reduce traffic bottlenecks, improve road safety and facilitate faster movement of passenger and freight vehicles.
Four-Lane Arwal Bypass
A separate 12-kilometre Arwal bypass will be constructed on the Naubatpur-Hariharganj section of NH-139.
The access-controlled four-lane bypass will extend from the 54.200-km mark to the 66.500-km mark of the existing highway and will be executed under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model.
Expected Economic Benefits
Transport experts say the bypasses could significantly improve traffic flow by allowing through traffic to avoid congested urban areas.
Reduced travel time, lower fuel consumption and fewer emissions are among the expected benefits. Improved highway connectivity is also expected to support trade, industrial activity and broader economic growth across the affected regions.
