Patna : Three National Highway projects aimed at improving road connectivity between north Bihar and Seemanchal are progressing, with construction on the Parsarma–Araria stretch expected to begin by the end of 2026 after land acquisition.
The projects include Parsarma–Araria on NH-327E, Umgaon–Bheja and Bheja–Bakaur. Once completed, they are expected to make travel easier for residents of Supaul, Araria, Madhubani and Darbhanga.
The three projects have a combined estimated cost of Rs 3,875 crore and are at different stages of development. While land acquisition is underway for the Parsarma–Araria project, Bheja–Bakaur is nearing completion and Umgaon–Bheja may require an extension of its deadline.
Parsarma–Araria NH-327E: Land Acquisition Across 53 Villages
The Parsarma–Araria NH-327E project will cover approximately 102 km and is planned under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), at an estimated cost of Rs 1,548 crore.
Land acquisition is currently underway in Supaul and Araria districts. Around 163 hectares across 53 villages are to be acquired for the project.
Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2026 once the land acquisition process is completed. The project is targeted for completion by 2028.
The highway is expected to improve direct road connectivity between Supaul and Araria, strengthening links across the Seemanchal region.
Umgaon–Bheja Highway: Deadline May Be Extended
The second project is the Umgaon–Bheja two-lane highway with paved shoulders, which is also being developed under the HAM model.
The road will cover approximately 88.65 km, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,224 crore. Its scheduled completion date is July 1, 2027.
However, only around 20% of the construction work has been completed so far. Given the pace of progress, the deadline may be extended.
Once completed, the highway is expected to improve travel between Madhubani and Darbhanga and strengthen road connectivity with other districts in Seemanchal.
Bheja–Bakaur Highway: 95% Work Complete
The third project, the Bheja–Bakaur two-lane highway with paved shoulders, is being built under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model.
The project is approximately 13.3 km long, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,103 crore. Around 95% of the construction work has been completed, according to the reported project update.
The scheduled completion date is March 31, 2027. Based on the reported progress, the project is expected to meet its deadline.
Once operational, the road is expected to improve connectivity between Madhubani and Supaul and make travel more convenient for commuters.
Three Projects To Strengthen Regional Connectivity
Together, the three highway projects are intended to strengthen road links between north Bihar and Seemanchal, improving access between key districts and making inter-district travel easier.
The immediate priority for the Parsarma–Araria project is to complete land acquisition, while progress on the Umgaon–Bheja highway will determine whether its scheduled completion date can be met.
With Bheja–Bakaur nearing completion, the projects are at different stages, with targets ranging from March 2027 to 2028. Their completion is expected to improve road connectivity across the region.
