Patna-Bettiah Four-Lane Expressway Makes Exciting Progress
The Patna-Bettiah four-lane expressway is gaining momentum, with initial phases reaching 15% completion. Backed by an investment of Rs5996 crore, this ambitious project aims to reduce travel time between Patna and Bettiah to just two and a half hours by 2027.
Construction Progress and Land Acquisition
Around 15% of the construction work on the first two packages from Bakarpur in Vaishali to Manikpur in Muzaffarpur district has been completed, while work is ongoing on the remaining part at a fast pace. The land acquisition work for the fourth package has reached its final stage, with the administration expediting preparations in West Champaran district.
- Project Overview: The expressway will stretch over 163.68km, starting from Bakarpur in Vaishali district and connecting to Patna through the JP Setu over the Ganga river in Digha.
- Current Status: 15% of the construction work on the first two packages has been completed, while work is ongoing on the remaining part at a fast pace.
- Land Acquisition: The land acquisition work for the fourth package has reached its final stage, with the administration expediting preparations in West Champaran district.
Project Features and Benefits
The Patna-Bettiah four-lane expressway will feature the construction of three major bridges over the Gandak river and its tributaries in Saran district, as well as 10 flyovers and grade separators, and 108 underpasses to facilitate smooth traffic flow.
- Economic Benefits: The project is expected to bring economic benefits, improve road safety, and reduce travel times for commuters.
- Regional Connectivity: The fourth package will connect key areas, enhancing regional connectivity and boosting tourism in the state.
- Connectivity to Nepal: The project will provide good connectivity to Nepal, further boosting economic ties between the two countries.
Project Director Raju Kumar of NHAI, Chhapra division, said, "The four-lane expressway is being built on the Bakarpur-Manikpur-Sahebganj-Areraj-Bettiah section of NH-139 (W). There will be a greenfield corridor on around 145 km of the expressway. The expressway is being built in three packages (phases). The first phase is on a 38.81km stretch from Bakarpur to Manikpur in Muzaffarpur. The second phase is 44.65km from Manikpur to Sahebganj in Muzaffarpur, while the third phase will be built from Sahebganj to Bettiah."
The administration has approved Rs9.35 crore for land acquisition in 13 villages in the fourth package, which will be used to determine compensation for structures and trees based on land type, area, and market value.
The entire project is expected to be completed by 2027 at a cost of approximately Rs5996 crore, reducing the travel time from Digha to Bettiah to just two and a half hours, compared to the current six hours.