Patna: The central government has cleared the construction of the Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway, a major infrastructure project aimed at transforming road connectivity across northern and eastern India, with land acquisition now under way in Bihar.
In West Champaran district, officials have begun the process of acquiring 187.23 hectares of land in the Bairiya and Nautan blocks of Bettiah. The proposed six-lane expressway, stretching roughly 550 kilometres, is estimated to cost Rs 37,500 crore and will pass through eight districts in Bihar: West Champaran, East Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj.
District officials said seven villages each in Bairia and Nautan blocks would be affected in the initial phase, with the identification of land parcels to begin shortly. Amarendra Kumar, the district land acquisition officer, confirmed the scale of land required and said preparatory work was progressing in line with central guidelines.
Once completed, the expressway is expected to significantly reduce travel time between eastern Uttar Pradesh, north Bihar and northern West Bengal, while improving access to border regions. Officials said the project is also likely to stimulate economic activity, create employment opportunities and support cultural and social exchange across the region.
The Gorakhpur–Siliguri Expressway is part of the Centre’s broader push to expand high-speed road corridors, particularly in historically under-connected regions, as it seeks to strengthen logistics, trade and regional development.
