Patna : The Indian government has approved the construction of Bihar’s first greenfield high-speed corridor, a 225-kilometre expressway set to connect five districts across the state. The proposed Narayani–Ganga Expressway will run from Bagaha in West Champaran to Patar in Bhojpur and is expected to significantly boost road infrastructure and regional connectivity.
The project, estimated to cost Rs 15,450 crore (£1.45bn), includes Rs 3,950 crore earmarked for land acquisition. Landowners, farmers, and cultivators will receive compensation based on official circle rates. Authorities hope the scheme will stimulate the rural economy while enabling faster travel across key regions in northern and southern Bihar.
The expressway is being developed under the Centre’s flagship Bharatmala programme, with the Bihar Road Construction Department submitting the proposal to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The central government has been urged to initiate a feasibility study, which would be followed by a detailed project report.
Designed as a six-lane greenfield expressway, the route will traverse the districts of West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, and Bhojpur. A new bridge over the Gandak River is also part of the plan. The expressway will link with the Patna–Ara–Sasaram high-speed corridor (NH-119A), enhancing connectivity to cities such as Varanasi and Kolkata.
The corridor is expected to reduce travel time and fuel consumption, benefiting hundreds of villages along the alignment. While specific villages that will be directly impacted are yet to be confirmed, officials assert the expressway will provide long-term socioeconomic benefits to the region.
The Bihar government has set a construction budget of Rs 11,500 crore, with land acquisition costs bringing the total investment to Rs 15,450 crore. The project is seen as a key element in transforming the state’s transport infrastructure and driving regional development.
