Patna: Bihar is planning a 354.37-km four-lane road along both the eastern and western embankments of the Kosi River, in a proposed project aimed at strengthening road connectivity across the Kosi belt.
The proposed corridor is expected to benefit eight districts and connect with five national highways. It will also have a link with the Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway, according to details of the proposed alignment.
The project is being planned along the Kosi embankments, which could provide an additional road corridor in areas that face recurring connectivity challenges during the monsoon and flood season.
354-Km Road Along Both Kosi Embankments
The proposed road will comprise two major stretches along the Kosi.
The eastern embankment is planned to have a road of approximately 124 km, while the western embankment section will extend for around 230 km.
Together, the two stretches will cover approximately 354.37 km.
The proposed corridor is planned from Birpur in Supaul towards Kursela in Katihar, with another stretch connecting Birpur towards Koparia in Saharsa.
The Water Resources Department has conducted a study of the proposed corridor, following which the road project was planned.
Proposed Alignment
On the eastern side, the proposed road will pass through Birpur, Basantpur, Saraigarh, Kishanpur, Nauhatta, Mahishi and Simri Bakhtiyarpur before reaching Koparia.
On the western side, the alignment will run from Birpur through Bharda, Kunauli, Ghoghardiha, Madhepur, Marauna, Kiratpur, Alauli, Chautham and Naugachhia before reaching Kursela.
The project is expected to require around 94,200 acres of land. Of this, approximately 34,700 acres have been indicated for the eastern embankment section and 59,500 acres for the western section.
Eight Districts To Benefit
The proposed corridor is expected to improve connectivity across several parts of north Bihar. The districts identified in the project details include Supaul, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Katihar and Khagaria, along with the wider Kosi region.
The road could improve connectivity between villages and urban centres and provide an additional route for movement along the Kosi corridor.
It is also expected to improve access to existing road networks in areas where travel can be affected by flooding during the monsoon.
Five National Highways To Be Connected
A major feature of the proposed project is its planned connection with five national highways.
These include:
- NH-231, connecting Darbhanga and Saharsa
- NH-27, connecting Madhubani and Supaul
- NH-31, connecting Bhagalpur and Katihar
- NH-527A, connecting Madhubani and Supaul
- NH-131, connecting Darbhanga and Madhubani
The proposed four-lane corridor will also connect with the Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway, strengthening its link with a major regional transport corridor.
From Kosi Flood Challenges To Better Connectivity
The Kosi is known for recurring flooding and changes in its course, which have historically affected road connectivity and movement across parts of north Bihar.
The proposed embankment-side road is intended to create a more continuous road corridor along the river while improving access between settlements and major highways.
If implemented as proposed, the 354.37-km four-lane Kosi corridor could provide a major connectivity link across the region, connecting both embankments with five national highways and the Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway.
