Patna: Bihar’s government has announced plans to construct five new expressways as part of its ambitious Saat Nishchay-3 initiative, aiming to improve connectivity between the state capital, Patna, and other districts.
Road Construction Minister Dr. Dilip Jaiswal said on Thursday that officials from the state’s Road Construction Department, including Secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal and two senior engineers, have been sent to Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to study successful expressway models. The visit is intended to provide insights into efficient construction and operational practices.
“The report prepared by the Secretary will guide funding strategies and identify areas where the state will undertake expressway construction directly,” Dr. Jaiswal added. The state is also considering establishing a dedicated expressway authority, similar to those in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, to expedite projects with transparency.
According to the minister, the proposed expressways will connect multiple districts, reduce travel time to Patna, and minimise the need for extensive land acquisition. The initiative is expected to facilitate better access to developing regions and major cities.
The state projects complement ongoing central government initiatives, including four expressways in Bihar. These include the Patna–Purnia Expressway, the Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway, the Raxaul–Haldia Expressway linking Bihar and Nepal to West Bengal’s Haldia port, and the Varanasi–Ranchi–Kolkata route, which has recently resumed after delays due to land acquisition.
Officials say the expressways are set to accelerate economic growth, industrial development, and business investment in Bihar. “High-speed road networks will not only cut travel times but also inject new momentum into the state’s economy,” said senior Road Construction Department officials.
A detailed plan and budget for the new expressways is expected later this year, with construction slated to advance under the state’s Saat Nishchay-3 programme.
