Patna: The Central Government has officially designated the Patna–Purnia Expressway as National Expressway-9 (NE-9), marking Bihar’s first expressway to be built entirely within the state’s boundaries.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a notification granting the status, a move welcomed by Bihar’s road construction minister Nitin Nabin, who described it as a “historic achievement” for the state. He said the expressway would reduce travel time between Patna and Purnia to just 3 hours and boost the social and economic development of the Seemanchal region.
The 250 km project will begin at Mirnagar Arezi in Hajipur (NH-22) and end at Hansdah in Purnia district, where it will connect with NH-27, part of the East-West Corridor. It will pass through Narharpur, Harlochanpur, Bajidpur, Saronja, Rasna, Parora and Fatehpur.
Planned infrastructure includes 21 major bridges, 140 minor bridges, 11 railway overbridges, 21 interchanges and 322 underpasses. A separate connecting road will link the expressway to the district headquarters of Samastipur, Saharsa and Madhepura.
Land acquisition is underway in more than 250 villages across 29 blocks in 6 districts. Officials said construction will begin as soon as acquisition is completed.
