Bihar fast-tracks two key NH projects to link religious sites, improve Nalanda connectivity

Officials said district magistrates of the concerned districts have been directed to accelerate land acquisition and secure at least 90% of the required land so that the detailed project reports (DPRs) can be sent for Union cabinet approval at the earliest.

The road construction department (RCD) is pushing hard to start work on two major national highway projects — Masrakh-Chapra-Chakiya-Bhithamore (NH-227 and 227A) and Arwal-Jehanabad-Bihar Sharif (NH-110) — from the next financial year. Together worth around ₹13,000 crore, these corridors are considered vital not just for better connectivity but also because they pass through areas of deep religious and spiritual importance.

National highway (HT file)

Officials said district magistrates of the concerned districts have been directed to accelerate land acquisition and secure at least 90% of the required land so that the detailed project reports (DPRs) can be sent for Union cabinet approval at the earliest.

The 145-km Masrakh-Chakiya-Bhithamore stretch forms part of the Ram Janki Circuit. The route runs through Siwan, Masrakh, Chakiya and Sitamarhi districts before reaching Bhithamore on the India-Nepal border. The state government is particularly keen to expedite this project, with sources indicating that its completion could carry political weight ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. On the other hand, the 89-km Arwal-Jehanabad-Bihar Sharif four-lane corridor will significantly improve access between Nalanda and Patna, and the chief minister’s office is closely monitoring land acquisition progress here.

The development commissioner expressed displeasure over delays in finalising DPRs and directed officials to complete them within the next two months so that sanctions from the Union ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) can follow quickly. “Once the Union Cabinet clears them, central funding will start flowing,” a senior officer quoted him as saying.

Earlier, on January 22, RCD secretary Pankaj Kumar Pal had also reviewed the same 52 projects and stressed the need for quality and timely DPR preparation. He instructed consultants and engineers to immediately flag any obstacles so they could be resolved at the highest level.

These projects are expected to boost religious tourism along the Ram Janki Marg — a key corridor linking Ayodhya with Janakpur — while the Arwal-Bihar Sharif stretch will benefit around 10 lakh people across three districts by easing travel and spurring economic activity.

With land acquisition and DPR finalisation now under intense scrutiny, the department is confident that both flagship highways will break ground in the coming financial year, giving a major push to Bihar’s infrastructure and connectivity.