Patna: Road connectivity between Bihar, Patna and Uttar Pradesh is set to improve with two major national highway projects connecting Bettiah with the state capital and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. The district administration has accelerated the land acquisition process for NH-139W and NH-727AA, with deadlines fixed for completing the required land-related work.
The projects are expected to pave the way for construction once the required land is acquired. The two highways will strengthen connectivity in West Champaran and other parts of north and central Bihar, while improving road access towards Uttar Pradesh.
Land Acquisition Deadlines Fixed
West Champaran District Magistrate Taranjot Singh has directed officials to complete the land acquisition process within the prescribed timelines.
For NH-727AA, officials have been given around three-and-a-half months to complete the process, while the deadline for NH-139W is around one-and-a-half months.
Officials have also been asked to resolve objections raised by landowners at the earliest. The administration has warned of action against employees found delaying the process.
At least 80% of the required land acquisition is needed before construction work can proceed. The construction agency had raised the issue earlier, prompting efforts to speed up the process.
NH-139W To Connect Bettiah With Patna
The NH-139W project will connect Bettiah with Patna via Jagdishpur. The proposed four-lane highway will have a total length of 171.29 km.
The project has an estimated cost of Rs 8,660.70 crore and will connect six Bihar districts — Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran and West Champaran.
The highway is expected to provide a more direct and efficient road connection between north Bihar and Patna, reducing dependence on existing congested routes.
Land Required Across 16 Villages
For NH-139W, around 111.80 hectares of land is required. The acquisition involves land belonging to farmers in the identified villages.
For NH-727AA, the requirement is around 160.93 hectares. Taken together, land acquisition for the two projects covers 16 villages.
The administration is working to resolve pending objections and complete the process so that construction agencies can proceed with the highway works.
NH-727AA To Link Bettiah With Uttar Pradesh
The second project, NH-727AA, will connect Manua Pul in Bettiah with Uttar Pradesh via Pipraghat. The highway will extend to Sevarhi and Tamkuhi Road in Uttar Pradesh.
The project will cover approximately 29.24 km and has an estimated construction cost of Rs 3,294.16 crore.
A major component of the project will be a 11.24-km-long bridge over the Gandak river, which is expected to improve the road connection between Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Boost For Trade And Regional Connectivity
Once completed, the two projects are expected to improve the movement of people and vehicles between Bettiah, Patna, northern Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
The improved road network could also support trade, freight movement and economic activity in the border and northern districts. The administration is now focused on completing land acquisition within the prescribed deadlines to enable construction to move ahead.
The combined estimated cost of the two projects is approximately Rs 11,954.86 crore.
