Patna: Construction of Bihar’s first access-controlled greenfield expressway, Amas-Darbhanga Expressway, is progressing at fast pace. According to the latest progress report, around 30% of the work has been completed, and target has been set to complete the entire 189-km project by Dec 2026.Construction is underway simultaneously across all four packages to meet the deadline. The expressway will link Gaya, Jehanabad, Patna, Vaishali, Samastipur and Darbhanga. It is being built by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to provide fast and seamless road connectivity between North and South Bihar via Mithilanchal.The four-lane access-controlled highway is being developed from Amas in Gaya to Shivrampur in Darbhanga under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) by the NHAI. With an estimated cost of around Rs5,000 crore, the expressway is being built on new land across fields and farmlands, not by widening an existing road, which is why it is called a greenfield project.Officials said travel time between Amas and Darbhanga will come down sharply by this project, while trade, transportation of agricultural produce and industrial movement will get a major boost.In Patna, the expressway will cross the Ganga river via Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur six-lane bridge, linking key hubs on both sides of the river.According to an NHAI official, “To meet the deadline, the project has been divided into four packages and work is running simultaneously. Package-1, covering around 55 km from Amas to Jehanabad, has completed around 31% of construction work. Major work on roadbed and structures is in progress. Around 31% work on the 54-km-long Jehanabad to Vaishali stretch has also been completed. Construction of carriageways and bridges continues.”Around 24% construction work on the 47-km-long Vaishali-Samastipur route has also been completed, while earthwork and culverts are being built. In the last Samastipur-Darbhanga package (Package-4), which is 33-km long, around 34% work has been completed. Construction of roads, bridges and other structures is progressing at a fast pace.Construction began in March 2023 with an original completion period of 24 months. However, officials said the timeline was impacted due to delays in land acquisition along the route.The biggest highlight of the project is its direct connection to Darbhanga Airport. This will provide passengers with integrated air and road connectivity and reduce the need to travel to Patna for flights.
