Patna: The land acquisition process for the Patna-Purnia six-lane greenfield corridor is under way. The technical formalities are currently in progress. The estimated cost of the 245-km road project is around Rs 18,042 crore. However, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is awaiting approval from the state cabinet before commencing the project.According to an NHAI official, “It will be a 6-lane expressway, which will significantly reduce the travel time between Patna and Purnia to 3 hours. Land acquisition work between Patna and Purnia for the expressway began, and the 3A gazette will be published soon, after which people can file their claims. Then, after inspection and scrutiny, the 3D gazette will be passed. After the 3D gazette, the process of paying compensation to the landowners will begin. Once 80% of the land is acquired, the tender for it will also be issued.”The official added that it would take around 1 month to complete the technical aspects of the project.The project is set to become a lifeline for the region. The high-speed Patna-Purnia Greenfield corridor aims to transform travel and trade across north Bihar. The govt is planning to complete the bidding and tendering process for all packages of the expressway by the end of 2026. This will help initiate construction of the expressway by early 2027.According to the notification issued by the central govt’s ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), the project has now been declared National Expressway-9 (NE-9). This will be Bihar’s first expressway to be constructed entirely within the state’s boundaries. The decision is expected to provide a new direction to the state’s road infrastructure and regional connectivity.The expressway will originate from NH-22 at Meernagar Arezi (Hajipur) and pass through Narharpur, Harlochanpur, Bajidpur, Saronja, Rasna, Parora and Fatehpur before connecting with NH-27 (East-West Corridor) at Hansdah in Purnia district.The project will include 21 major bridges, 140 minor bridges, 11 railway overbridges, 21 interchanges and 322 underpasses. Also, separate link roads will be constructed to connect the district headquarters of Samastipur, Saharsa and Madhepura, thereby strengthening connectivity across the region.The land acquisition process is progressing rapidly across more than 250 villages in 29 blocks of 6 districts. Construction work will commence once the land acquisition process is completed. The expressway is expected not only to facilitate smoother traffic movement but also to generate new employment opportunities in the region. Moreover, the project symbolises cooperation between the state and the central govt.
