The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, has approved the upgradation of the Khagaria–Purnea section of National Highways 31 and 231 to a four?lane standard over 143.529 km on build?operate?transfer toll mode at a total capital cost of Rs 39.3605 billion (bn). The project corridor links Patna and Purnea and is intended to strengthen regional road infrastructure and logistics capacity. The approval covers detailed project scope, alignment and a greenfield bypass component.

The scheme is designed to address severe geometric deficiencies, sharp curves and congestion in built?up areas across Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Katihar and Purnea districts and to raise average travel speeds. It includes a greenfield Purnea bypass of six point seven two nine km length which is expected to reduce travel time to about two hours and to improve road safety, fuel efficiency and vehicle operating costs. The intervention is projected to enhance regional mobility and support socio?economic development.

The upgraded corridor will provide seamless connectivity to key economic, social and logistics nodes and will integrate with five PM Gati?Shakti Economic Nodes comprising one textile cluster, two mega food parks and two fishing seafood parks. It also connects eleven logistic nodes including four major railway stations, one airport, four national highways and two state highways, thereby facilitating faster movement of goods and passengers. Multi?modal integration forms a central element of the design.

Project cost components include a total civil cost of Rs 24.6777 billion (bn) and a land acquisition cost of Rs 2.9016 billion (bn), within an overall capital outlay of Rs 39.3605 billion (bn). Employment generation potential is estimated at 3.259 million (mn) person?days direct and 4.055 million (mn) person?days indirect during implementation. Major towns served include Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Katihar and Purnea.