Cabinet Clears Rs 38.22 Bn NH-139W Project in Bihar

27 Sep 2025 CW Team

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the construction of the 4-lane Sahebganj–Areraj–Bettiah section of NH-139W in Bihar. The project, worth Rs 38.22 billion, will be executed on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) and cover a total length of 78.94 km.

The greenfield highway will provide faster connectivity between Patna and Bettiah, linking several North Bihar districts including Vaishali, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, and West Champaran, extending up to the Indo-Nepal border. The project aims to facilitate long-distance freight movement, improve access to agricultural and industrial hubs, and strengthen regional economic development.

It will connect seven PM Gati Shakti economic nodes, six social nodes, eight logistics nodes, and nine major tourism and religious centres. Improved access to heritage and Buddhist sites such as Kesariya Buddha Stupa, Someshwarnath Mandir, Vishwa Shanti Stupa, and Mahavir Temple will enhance Bihar’s Buddhist circuit and boost international tourism.

The NH-139W will also serve as an alternative to congested existing routes by linking NH-31, NH-722, NH-727, NH-27, and NH-227A. Designed for speeds up to 100 km/h, the corridor will cut travel time between Sahebganj and Bettiah from 2.5 hours to just 1 hour, offering seamless and safer connectivity for both freight and passenger traffic.

The project is expected to generate 14.22 lakh man-days of direct employment and 17.69 lakh man-days of indirect employment, while also creating additional jobs through induced economic activity in the region.

News source: PIB

Infrastructure Transport

17 Oct 2025

Sonowal Unveils Eight Projects at NMPA’s Golden Jubilee

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the Curtain Raiser Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) at Bharat Mandapam. To commemorate the milestone, he unveiled eight major maritime infrastructure projects designed to strengthen India’s port network, enhance logistics performance, and promote sustainability. These include a modern cruise terminal, new covered storage facilities, a 150-bed multi-speciality hospital, expanded truck terminals, and improved port access infrastructure aimed at enhancing..

India To Boost US LPG Imports, Cut Middle East Reliance

India is planning to reduce imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the Middle East as state-owned refiners prepare to ramp up purchases from the United States, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move aligns with New Delhi’s efforts to expand energy cooperation and secure a broader trade deal with Washington. State refiners have already notified their traditional LPG suppliers in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar of the potential reduction in imports. Although the exact size of the supply cut was not disclosed, earlier reports suggested that Indi..

UK Sanctions Nayara Energy in Crackdown on Russian Oil

The United Kingdom has announced fresh sanctions on 90 entities, including Indian refiner Nayara Energy Limited, in its latest bid to curb Russian oil revenues and weaken President Vladimir Putin’s war funding. The sanctions, unveiled jointly by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Treasury, aim to disrupt networks supporting Moscow’s crude exports amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to the FCDO, the new restrictions are intended to “strike at the heart of Putin’s war funding” by targeting firms and assets that enable Russia’s energy trade. “..