Patna : The proposed Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway is awaiting key approvals, raising concerns that delays could affect the next stage of land acquisition in Bihar. The state’s Road Construction Department has urged the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to expedite approval for the project under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The Bihar government has also reiterated its request to develop the expressway as a six-lane corridor instead of four lanes. However, approval for the project and a decision on the proposed expansion are still awaited.
The expressway is planned to connect Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh with Siliguri in West Bengal. Of its proposed total length of around 568 km, approximately 417 km will pass through Bihar, crossing eight districts.
NHAI Awaits PPP-Related Approval
According to the Bihar Road Construction Department, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has forwarded the project for consideration by the Public-Private Partnership Appraisal Committee.
Further steps towards construction will depend on the necessary approvals and subsequent project clearances.
The state government has asked the Centre to accelerate the process, citing the possible impact of delays on land acquisition and the project’s progress.
Land Acquisition Notifications Issued In Most Districts
Land acquisition notifications have reportedly been issued in the relevant districts of Bihar, except Kishanganj. These notifications identify land proposed to be included in the project.
The next stage of acquisition is yet to begin. According to the state Road Construction Department, if the process does not move forward by the end of 2026, fresh notifications may be required.
Under the applicable procedure described by the department, land acquisition must be initiated within one year of the relevant notification. Delays in proceeding to the next stage could therefore complicate the acquisition process and affect the project’s timeline.
Before land is acquired, affected landowners are informed that their property falls within the proposed project area and may be subject to acquisition.
Bihar Seeks Six-Lane Expressway
The Bihar government has renewed its request to develop the expressway with six lanes instead of the proposed four.
The Road Construction Department said the proposal had been submitted earlier, but approval has not yet been received. The state has argued that a wider road would better accommodate future traffic demand and provide greater capacity.
The final decision on the number of lanes remains pending. Any change to the proposed design will depend on approval by the competent authorities.
Eight Bihar Districts To Be Connected
The proposed expressway will pass through the following eight districts in Bihar:
- West Champaran
- East Champaran
- Sitamarhi
- Sheohar
- Madhubani
- Supaul
- Araria
- Kishanganj
Starting from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, the route is planned to pass through Deoria before entering Bihar and continuing towards Siliguri in West Bengal.
The corridor is expected to improve road connectivity between Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, while strengthening onward access towards Assam through the Siliguri region.
Potential Boost For Religious Tourism
The expressway could also improve access to religious tourism destinations in north Bihar.
Sitamarhi, traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Goddess Sita, is among the locations that could benefit from improved road connectivity. A temple dedicated to Maa Janaki is also being developed in the district.
Better road access could make travel to Sitamarhi and other religious destinations in north Bihar more convenient. The corridor may also benefit pilgrims travelling from West Bengal towards the Kamakhya Temple in Assam, although the scale of the benefit will depend on the final route and wider road connections.
Approvals And Land Acquisition Remain Key Hurdles
The immediate priorities for the Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway are securing the required central approvals, obtaining a decision on Bihar’s six-lane proposal and advancing land acquisition.
The state government has warned that delays could require parts of the notification process to be repeated, potentially affecting the project’s progress.
Until the outstanding approvals and acquisition steps are completed, the construction timeline remains uncertain. The project’s next phase will depend on how quickly the relevant authorities resolve these issues.
