Bihar’s 2025 Infra Push Before Polls: Highways, Metro, Airports & India’s First Vande Sleeper

Last Updated:August 28, 2025, 12:14 IST

Election schedule is expected to be announced in the state around October and the elections are likely to be held in November this year, as the term of the Bihar assembly is ending

The state already has three functional airports---one each at Patna (in pic), Gaya, and Darbhanga. (PTI)

Bihar is not only gearing up for assembly elections in 2025, but is also preparing for an infrastructure revolution that will transform connectivity in the state like never before—ranging from expanding national highways to new high-speed trains and metro and airport projects nearing completion.

Bihar added 2,616 km of national highways between 2014 and 2024 at a cost of Rs 20,120 crore. The year 2022 saw the highest highway expansion, while 2024 marked the costliest year as shown in the chart.

This analysis is based on the year the project is completed and not the exact cost or length built over the years. The calculation also included the existing roads with widening and strengthening.

The data from the roads ministry also shows that close to 2,450 km of national highways were added during the financial year 2019-20 and 2023-24 alone. The year 2020-21 was the biggest contributor with 691 km added.

Bihar had 4,467 km of national highways on April 1, 2014 that increased to 6,155 km by June-end—an addition of 1,688 km. This excluded widening and strengthening.

Official data also shows that almost 90 per cent of the national highways in the state are at least two-lane or wider.

In 2015, the Centre approved and announced the Prime Minister’s Package for Bihar, offering almost 2,800 km of National Highways and 12 Road Over Bridges (ROBs) for a smoother journey for the commuters. In 2018, National Highways development length under the package increased to 3,092 Km.

As of August 2025, close to 1,200 km of these roads have been completed and another 500 km will be ready in the next couple of months, data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) shows.

Among the sections completed included the 94 km section of NH-85 connecting Gopalganj and Chhapra inaugurated in 2022; 77 km Sitamarhi–Jainagar section of NH104; 55 km of Biharsharif–Barbigha–Mokama (NH-82); and 72 km Fatua–Harnaut–Barh (NH-30A).

The upgradation of Birpur-Bihpur section of NH-106—currently underway and expected to be ready this year—holds the biggest share of 106 km length. This section also houses a critical missing link across the Koshi River—a new 4-lane bridge at Phulaut.

As per the MoRTH timeline, at least 12 projects are targeted for completion this year, including the already inaugurated Bakhtiyarpur–Mokama section of NH-31 (45 km) and a six-lane bridge across river Ganga at Mokama on NH-31.

Another section of this road, 60 km four-lane Simaria–Khagaria on NH-31, is expected later this year.

Speaking to News18, a ministry official said about 2,000 km of national highways are currently under construction in Bihar and expected to be ready by 2027, as per the tentative deadlines, official data shows.

Election schedule is expected to be announced in the state around October and the elections are likely to be held in November this year, as the term of the Bihar assembly is ending.

Not just roads but the state is also receiving a massive boost in rail infrastructure enhancing regional and interstate travel.

Vande Sleeper Between Patna-Delhi

Earlier this month, News18 had reported that the Patna-Delhi railway route may get India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper. While there has been no official announcement, a Railways ministry official confirmed to News18 that the route is not off the table.

“We are preparing to launch the train in the next few weeks. The plan will be shared as and when it is final," they said, seeking anonymity.

Bihar has already been gifted several trains in the last few weeks.

Seven Amrit Bharat trains have been allocated to the state since April, six of these launched in July and August.

Of the eight Amrit Bharat routes currently operational across India, only Malda-Bengaluru does not touch Bihar. The Amrit Bharat between Malda Town and Lucknow serves Bhagalpur.

Six of the seven Amrit Bharat trains originate from Bihar, including Mumbai-Saharsa and Darbhanga-Lucknow. Five of the Amrit Bharat trains connect parts of Bihar with national capital Delhi—one each from Gaya, Darbhanga, Patna, Bapudham Motihari, and Sitamarhi.

One Vande Bharat chair car was allocated to the poll-bound state in June and another is proposed between Patna and Purnia, expected next month.

The state is served by 13 Vande Bharat chair car trains as of date. Eight Vande Bharat trains are serving Patna—one each for Ranchi, Howrah, New Jalpaiguri, Lucknow, and Gorakhpur. Three trains run between Patna and Tatanagar.

Vande Bharat also serves the state while connecting Ranchi-Varanasi; Deoghar-Varanasi; Howrah-New Jalpaiguri; Howrah-Gaya; and Howrah-Bhagalpur.

Patna Metro, Purnia Airport Coming Soon

It is also expected that the Patna Metro will be inaugurated next month as the work on the priority section has been completed. The 15-km-long priority section was to be inaugurated on August 15 but was delayed.

In 2019, two corridors, Danapur to Mithapur and Patna Railway Station to New ISBT, of the Patna Metro were approved with an estimated cost at Rs 13,365 crore. The work was to be completed in five years.

Not just land but air connectivity will also improve in the state with another airport. The state already has three functional airports—one each at Patna, Gaya, and Darbhanga. Now, Purnia Airport is expected in the coming weeks.

As roads, railways, and airports converge to redefine connectivity, Bihar in 2025 stands at the threshold of an infrastructural leap that is expected to enhance connectivity and development across the state.

Nivedita Singh

Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived...Read More

Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived...

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First Published:

August 28, 2025, 12:14 IST

News elections Bihar’s 2025 Infra Push Before Polls: Highways, Metro, Airports & India’s First Vande Sleeper

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