Patna: Bihar Road Construction Minister Kumar Shailendra on Sunday reviewed progress on the proposed four-laning of the Khagaria-Purnia section of National Highway 31/231, a Rs 3,936 crore project that recently received approval from the Union Cabinet and is expected to significantly improve connectivity across North-East Bihar.
The review meeting was held with officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), Begusarai, at Barauni.
According to NHAI officials, the project is likely to be awarded by August 2026, paving the way for construction to begin soon thereafter.
Majority Of Land Already Available
Officials informed the minister that around 90% of the land required for the project has already been acquired or made available, reducing the likelihood of major delays during implementation.
The project will be executed under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Toll model and is expected to have a construction period of two and a half years, followed by a maintenance period of 27.5 years.
The proposed four-lane corridor will cover a total length of 143.53 km, including a new 6.73-km bypass at Purnia.
Major Infrastructure Components Planned
According to the project presentation, the highway will include one interchange, nine flyovers and 29 underpasses designed to improve traffic flow and safety.
The underpasses will comprise nine vehicular underpasses (VUPs), 10 light vehicular underpasses (LVUPs) and 20 small vehicular underpasses (SVUPs).
Other proposed infrastructure includes three foot overbridges, 30 bus bays and eight truck lay-bys.
The project also provides for the construction of five major bridges and six minor bridges. Among the most significant structures is a 1,090-metre-long two-lane bridge over the Kosi River at Kursela.
Officials said all densely populated stretches and major junctions would be connected through service roads. The project includes approximately 65 km of service roads and 101 km of slip roads associated with flyovers and underpasses.
The highway has been designed for a speed limit of 100 kmph.
Focus On Safety And Local Connectivity
During the review, Shailendra stressed that road safety and the convenience of local residents should remain the project’s foremost priorities.
He noted that adequate service roads and traffic management measures have been incorporated at major junctions and populated areas to ensure safe access to the highway.
Officials also made detailed presentations on traffic safety features and other engineering provisions included in the design.
Expected Boost For Kosi And Seemanchal
The minister said the project would play a key role in strengthening regional connectivity and supporting economic activity across North-East Bihar.
Once completed, it is expected to benefit districts and towns including Khagaria, Mansi, Maheshkhunt, Pasraha, Narayanpur, Bihpur, Kharik, Naugachia, Bhagalpur, Kursela, Gedabari, Katihar, Harda, Maranga and Purnia.
Improved road connectivity is expected to support trade, agriculture and industrial activity while creating employment opportunities during and after construction.
Shailendra said travel time between Khagaria and Purnia is expected to be reduced to around two hours after the highway becomes operational.
He added that both the state and central governments would work in coordination to ensure the timely and high-quality execution of the project.
