The Union Cabinet on Friday approved a 120-km-long four-lane national highway project connecting Patna and Sasaram via Aurangabad and Kaimur in Bihar. The project, set to be built at an estimated cost of ₹3,712.40 crore under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), comes at a crucial time as the state gears up for assembly elections later this year.
Additionally, the Cabinet has also included the Kosi-Mechi river-linking project in Bihar under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) to enhance irrigation facilities in the state.
Project Details and Timeline
Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the highway project will be executed in two phases:
- First phase: A new 74.43 km stretch will be constructed within two years.
- Second phase: 45.67 km of greenfield construction and redevelopment of 10.6 km will be completed in 30 months.
Connectivity and Economic Impact
The Patna-Arrah-Sasaram corridor will significantly enhance regional connectivity, linking:
- Five National Highways (NH 19, 319, 922, 131G, 120)
- Four State Highways (SH 12, 102, 02, 81)
- Patna’s existing airport and the upcoming Bihita airport
- Major railway stations at Sasaram, Arrah, Danapur, and Patna
- The Inland Water Terminal at Patna
- Patna Ring Road for multimodal connectivity
“This road will work as an artery and significantly reduce congestion while improving economic prospects in the region,” Vaishnaw stated.
Boost to Employment and Economy
The corridor will play a pivotal role in boosting economic growth by improving connectivity between Lucknow, Patna, Ranchi, and Varanasi. The government also highlighted that the project will:
- Generate 4.8 million man-days of employment
- Spur growth and development in the Patna region
- Enhance passenger and freight movement
With Bihar heading into elections, the approval of this major infrastructure project is seen as a significant move by the NDA government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, in alliance with the BJP, to showcase development efforts and bolster voter confidence.
Sources By Agencies
