By Kavita Sharma
Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Patna, April 13, 2026: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday conducted an on-ground inspection of the first phase of the Patna—Bettiah Greenfield Expressway, reviewing progress and directing officials to expedite construction work.
Nitish Kumar inspected the ongoing construction work in Saran:
The Chief Minister inspected the initial stretch of the project along the Bakarpur—Manikpur road in Saran district.
During the visit, he emphasized timely completion, stating that the expressway will significantly transform connectivity in North Bihar.
He noted that once completed, travel time between Patna and Bettiah will be reduced to approximately three hours, easing congestion on existing routes and improving accessibility.
Boost to north Bihar connectivity:
The expressway is expected to directly connect key districts, including Vaishali, Saran, East Champaran, and West Champaran.
According to the Chief Minister, the project will play a crucial role in accelerating economic and regional development across North Bihar.
Patna—Purnea Expressway: A parallel mega project:
Alongside this, Bihar is also witnessing rapid progress on the Patna—Purnea Expressway, a major Rs 18,042 crore infrastructure project under National Expressway-9.
Key highlights include 282 km, a 6-lane Greenfield corridor, with a designated speed of 120 km/h.
The authority has set a target of completion by 2028. After the completion, the travel time between Patna and Purnea has been reduced to 3 to 4 hours.
The route will pass through Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Darbanga, Madhepura, Saharsa, and Purnea districts, significantly strengthening regional connectivity.
Infrastructure components include 20 major bridges, 130 minor bridges, 1 railway overbridge (ROB), and 19 interchanges.
The expressway will also connect three major airports—Patna, Darbhanga, and Purnea—boosting both logistics and tourism.
Focus on development amid political transition:
Despite ongoing political developments and speculation over leadership changes, Nitish Kumar continues to actively monitor infrastructure projects across the state.
His inspection underscores the government’s continued focus on development projects, even as Bihar stands on the verge of a potential political transition.
Also Read: Nitish Kumar set to take Rajya Sabha oath; political buzz over possible leadership change in Bihar.
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