Patna-Bettiah expressway work gains pace, land acquisition in final stage

Patna: Around 15% of the construction work on the first two packages from Bakarpur in Vaishali to Manikpur in Muzaffarpur district of the Patna-Bettiah four-lane expressway project has been completed, while the work is ongoing on the remaining part at a fast pace.Bid process for the remaining one package has also been completed, with the land acquisition work in the final stage.Started in Aug 2024, the total length of the project is 163.68km. The expressway will start from Bakarpur in Vaishali district and will be connected to Patna through the JP Setu over the Ganga river in Digha. The current distance from Patna to Bettiah is around 204km, which will be reduced after completion of the project, according to the officials of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).After completion of the four-lane, the city residents will be able to travel faster from Patna to Bettiah. The new four-lane expressway will be available for commuters, reducing the travel time from Digha to Bettiah to two and a half hours, compared to the current six hours. The highway is expected to be completed by 2027 at a cost of approximately Rs5996 crore.Project director of NHAI, Chhapra division, Raju Kumar, said, “The four-lane expressway is being built on the Bakarpur-Manikpur-Sahebganj-Areraj-Bettiah section of NH-139 (W).

There will be a greenfield corridor on around 145 km of the expressway. The expressway is being built in three packages (phases). The first phase is on a 38.81km stretch from Bakarpur to Manikpur in Muzaffarpur. The second phase is 44.65km from Manikpur to Sahebganj in Muzaffarpur, while the third phase will be built from Sahebganj to Bettiah.

”Meanwhile, the administration has expedited preparations in West Champaran district, with the govt approving Rs9.35 crore for land acquisition in 13 villages in the fourth package of the project.

The fourth package will connect key areas, enhancing regional connectivity. Identified villages include Nishi Karahiya, Mathouli, Hatsaraiya and others. Compensation for structures and trees will be determined separately, based on land type, area and market value.The entire project features the construction of three major bridges over the Gandak river and its tributaries in Saran district. The project also includes the building of 10 flyovers and grade separators, as well as 108 underpasses to facilitate smooth traffic flow.“The project is expected to bring economic benefits, improve road safety and reduce travel times for commuters. It will play a crucial role in commuting from Patna to Bettiah. It will boost tourism in the state and will also provide good connectivity to Nepal,” added the NHAI official.