The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the upgradation of the Khagaria-Purnia section of NH-31 and NH-231 to four-lane standards in Bihar. The project, executed under the built-operate-transfer (Toll) mode, has a total cost of Rs 3,936.05 crore and covers a length of 143.5 km.
Project Details and Benefits
According to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the project addresses geometric deficiencies, sharp curves, and congestion in built-up areas across Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Katihar, and Purnia districts. A 6.7-km greenfield bypass of Purnia city will also be developed. The upgradation is expected to increase average travel speeds, reduce travel time to about two hours, and improve road safety, fuel efficiency, and vehicle operating costs, thereby enhancing regional mobility and socio-economic development.
Connectivity and Economic Impact
The project will provide seamless connectivity to key economic, social, and logistics nodes across Bihar. It will improve multi-modal integration by linking five PM Gati Shakti economic nodes, including one textile cluster, two mega food parks, two fisheries/seafood parks, and 11 logistics hubs. These include four major railway stations, one airport in Purnia, four national highways, and two state highways.
An official stated that the project is expected to generate 32.59 lakh person-days of direct employment and 40.55 lakh person-days of indirect employment.
Chief Minister's Response
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the approval, calling it a historic decision that will give new momentum to Bihar’s development. He emphasized that the project would strengthen connectivity in the Seemanchal and Kosi regions, boost trade, agriculture, industry, and tourism by facilitating faster movement of goods and passengers, and create new employment opportunities.
