It has been over a year since the agreement to extend the Purvanchal Expressway to Bhagalpur. This road will serve as a crucial link from Bhagalpur through Uttar Pradesh to Delhi.
The construction of approximately 300 km of this expressway in Bihar is still pending. Meanwhile, another significant project, the Raxaul-Dighwara-Haldia Expressway, involves constructing a 350 km road in Bihar.
Key Developments:
- Nitin Gadkari’s Role: With the reformation of the central government, Nitin Gadkari has once again taken charge of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, raising hopes for the completion of these long-pending expressway projects in Bihar.
- Pending Projects: Despite agreements and plans, several expressways under the Bharatmala Series-2, such as the Raxaul-Dighwara-Haldia Expressway, are still awaiting land acquisition or have made no progress at all.
Details of Key Expressways:
- Purvanchal Expressway Extension:
- Route: From Bhagalpur to Delhi via Uttar Pradesh.
- Length in Bihar: Approximately 300 km.
- Status: Construction is pending despite agreement over a year ago.
- Raxaul-Dighwara-Haldia Expressway:
- Route: From Raxaul in Bihar through Jharkhand to Haldia in West Bengal.
- Length in Bihar: Approximately 350 km.
- Importance: Significant for inter-country transportation, providing direct connectivity from Haldia Port to Raxaul, benefiting Nepal.
- Alignment: Includes major areas such as Patna, Bihar Sharif, Sheikhpura, and Jamui, extending towards Banka and Dumka before reaching Haldia.
- Status: Project work is yet to gain momentum.
- Patna-Purnia Expressway:
- Route: Between Patna and Purnia.
- Status: Stuck due to pending land acquisition approvals.
- Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway:
- Route: Will provide new connectivity to several districts in Bihar and extend to Siliguri.
- Length in Bihar: Approximately 450 km.
- Status: Currently delayed at the land acquisition stage.
Key Takeaways:
- Nitin Gadkari’s Role: His reappointment as Minister has revived discussions on Bihar’s expressway projects.
- Pending Projects: Many projects are still awaiting land acquisition or other approvals.
- Significance: These expressways are vital for improved connectivity and economic growth in Bihar.
All At Once:
| Expressway | Route | Length in Bihar | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purvanchal Expressway | Bhagalpur to Delhi via UP | 300 km | Construction pending |
| Raxaul-Dighwara-Haldia | Raxaul to Haldia via Jharkhand | 350 km | Work yet to gain momentum |
| Patna-Purnia Expressway | Patna to Purnia | – | Stuck due to land acquisition |
| Gorakhpur-Siliguri | Gorakhpur to Siliguri | 450 km | Delayed at land acquisition |
