New Delhi, August 19: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has granted a significant infrastructure gift to Bihar. The Cabinet approved the upgrade of an 82.578-kilometer stretch of the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa route into a four-lane highway, with an estimated expenditure of approximately ₹3,591 crore.
According to a Cabinet release, this road project will enhance connectivity between key regions in North Bihar and facilitate access to areas near the Nepal border. The development is expected to improve road facilities for travelers and boost trade and freight transport.
The government stated that these projects aim to increase the capacity of rail and road transport, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance connectivity for the public.
The Cabinet noted that this project will significantly decrease congestion in densely populated areas such as Muzaffarpur, Muksudpur, Runnisaidpur, Thumma, Dumra, Bhutahi, and Sonbarsa.
The release mentioned, “The Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 is strategically and economically important, ensuring seamless connectivity to the national freight grid.”
This upgrade not only enhances connectivity to industrial areas like Barauni and river-based logistics hubs but also strengthens cross-border passenger and freight transport through the nearby Bhithamore land port.
Additionally, the improved corridor will enhance connectivity to five PM Gati Shakti economic centers (four industrial estates and one mega food park), four social centers (Baba Garibnath Temple, Mata Janaki Temple, Punapura Dham, Muzaffarpur, and Sitamarhi aspirational districts), and two logistics centers (Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi railway stations).
The enhanced connectivity will facilitate the efficient movement of goods and agricultural supply chains, support regional economic development, and provide better access to significant cultural and religious sites such as the Buddhist circuit and the historic Janaki Punapura Dham temple in Sitamarhi.
According to the Cabinet, this project is designed for speeds of up to 100 km/h and an average speed of 80 km/h, with no at-grade median openings, ensuring fast and safe travel.
Moreover, the project includes provisions for smooth traffic flow and safe, high-speed travel with seven major bridges (including a 340-meter-long bridge over the perennial Bagmati River), three railway overbridges (ROBs), and two flyovers.
It is noteworthy that the central Cabinet has taken significant steps to strengthen the country’s infrastructure by approving five major infrastructure projects costing a total of ₹13,000 crore for rail and road projects.
Alongside this major project approval, the central Cabinet has also sanctioned four multi-tracking projects in West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh to enhance the capacity of Indian Railways. The total estimated cost of these projects is around ₹9,450 crore, with a target completion date set for 2030-31.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed after the Cabinet meeting that this investment will improve connectivity in vital parts of the country and accelerate economic growth. Upon completion of these projects, approximately 410 kilometers of additional capacity will be added to the Indian Rail network, facilitating smoother train movement on busy routes and expediting freight transport.
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