A major infrastructure push is underway in Bihar with the approval of a new four-lane highway connecting Patna, Arrah, and Sasaram. Cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), the 120.10-km access-controlled corridor will be developed at a cost of Rs 37.12 billion under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).

Blending greenfield and brownfield stretches, the project is designed to slash travel time, which currently takes 3–4 hours due to severe congestion, especially in Arrah. The corridor will upgrade 10.6 km of existing road and bypass densely populated bottlenecks such as Grahini, Piro, Bikramganj, Mokar, and Sasaram.

Strategically integrated with national highways NH-19, NH-319, NH-922, NH-131G, and NH-120, the route will enhance access to major cities including Aurangabad, Kaimur, and Patna. It will also link directly with Patna’s Ring Road, further streamlining the movement of goods and commuters.

Beyond connectivity, the project will significantly benefit the region’s economic fabric. It will improve access to two airports—Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport and the upcoming Bihta Airport—as well as four key railway stations: Sasaram, Arrah, Danapur, and Patna. It will also offer direct linkage to the Inland Water Terminal in Patna.

The development is expected to generate 48 lakh man-days of employment, offering a substantial boost to job creation and local enterprise. With improved travel efficiency and broader regional integration, the corridor aligns with the Centre’s agenda of self-reliance and inclusive growth, promising long-term prosperity for Bihar’s hinterland.