Patna: The Bihar cabinet has approved the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR) for a proposed 56km expressway along the northern bank of the Ganga, connecting Bidupur in Vaishali district to Dighwara in Saran district.
The proposed corridor, being described by officials as a northern extension of Patna’s riverfront road network, will be developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL) will oversee the project.
The expressway will be significantly longer than the existing JP Ganga Path, also known as Patna Marine Drive, which currently stretches around 20.5km along the southern bank of the river.
Flood protection and connectivity
According to officials, the road will be constructed on a raised embankment designed to function as both a transport corridor and a flood-control structure.
The embankment is expected to remain above the highest recorded flood levels, allowing road connectivity during floods and potentially reducing annual flood impacts in parts of north Bihar. Government estimates suggest nearly 50 lakh people in flood-prone areas could benefit from the project.
Authorities said the ongoing survey will assess land acquisition requirements, bridge construction, soil conditions and forest land impact before the final project cost is determined.
Tourism and riverfront development
The proposed corridor is also expected to include public spaces along the riverfront, including ghats, walking and cycling tracks, food kiosks and viewing points.
Officials said the project could improve access to key religious and heritage sites, including Vaishali, Hariharnath Temple in Sonpur and the Ambika Bhawani shrine near Dighwara.
The state government is also developing the Hariharnath Temple area as a larger pilgrimage destination.
Urban expansion plans
The expressway is expected to support planned township and industrial development in the Patna metropolitan region.
Officials said the corridor could help divert traffic entering Patna from north Bihar, reducing congestion within the city. Proposed township projects in Sonpur and Chhapra are also expected to benefit from improved road connectivity.
Urban planners have increasingly discussed the emergence of Patna, Hajipur and Sonpur as an interconnected regional urban cluster linked by new transport infrastructure.
Patna Marine Drive extension underway
Meanwhile, work is already underway on the extension of JP Ganga Path from Digha to Koilwar.
The 36km four-lane project, being built at an estimated cost of Rs. 6,500 crore under a hybrid annuity model, is expected to reduce travel time between Patna and Koilwar from up to two hours to around 30 minutes.
About 18km of the corridor will be elevated, while the remaining stretch will be constructed at grade on embankments. Under the agreement, the construction agency will also be responsible for maintenance of the road for 15 years.
