Bihar to Develop Buxar Bhagalpur Expressway with DPR in Progress

The  Buxar–Bhagalpur Expressway has entered a crucial phase, with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways initiating the process for appointing a consultant to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

This development marks a significant milestone in the state’s push towards bolstering regional mobility and strengthening its road infrastructure. The expressway, proposed to be an upgradation of existing highways rather than a greenfield development, is expected to span approximately 240 kilometres and play a transformative role in connecting north-central and eastern Bihar. The Request for Proposal (RFP), released on 22 April, outlines that the project will focus on converting the current two-lane routes into a four-lane corridor with paved shoulders, aimed at improving traffic flow and ensuring safer, faster transit. The consultant, once selected, will have 270 days to complete the DPR, with the project’s detailed roadmap likely to be finalised before the end of 2026. The timing is particularly strategic, with the tender process aligned to conclude before the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections—hinting at the government’s commitment to showcasing infrastructural progress ahead of the polls.

Contrary to earlier projections estimating the corridor’s length at around 360 to 375 kilometres, the revised plan trims the scope by focusing only on strategic segments of the existing road network. The expressway will integrate portions of NH 922 from Buxar to Patna, NH 31 from Patna to Munger, and NH 33 from Munger to Bhagalpur. While most of these highways are already four-laned, a 78.5-kilometre stretch between Mokama and Munger remains to be upgraded, highlighting the complexity of balancing infrastructural ambition with realistic execution.

Land acquisition may still pose a hurdle in case the government opts for expressway-standard construction across the full stretch, as the mandated width for such corridors is 90 metres. This is especially relevant since the elevated Bihta–Patna highway and the Buxar–Koilwar–Bihta four-lane section, although improved, are not designed as access-controlled expressways. The absence of such control has often resulted in safety concerns and traffic inefficiencies, underscoring the necessity of a design that incorporates modern mobility solutions, pedestrian considerations, and climate-resilient materials.

While the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will oversee the implementation, the DPR stage will be pivotal in determining the ecological, financial, and social viability of the project. Beyond merely connecting regions, this corridor has the potential to catalyse economic opportunities across Bihar by improving connectivity to agricultural zones, industrial hubs, and socio-cultural centres. In a state where infrastructure deficits often translate into stalled development, the expressway could serve as a lifeline for equitable growth if executed responsibly.

The narrative is not just about roads—it is about rethinking how infrastructure serves people. As India leans into its vision of net-zero cities and carbon-neutral infrastructure, projects like this must embody sustainable planning and inclusive design. The expressway, if developed with foresight, has the power to reshape how Bihar connects with itself and the broader eastern region, knitting together aspirations of speed, safety, and sustainability.

Also Read :https://urbanacres.in/noida-to-build-six-lane-elevated-expressway/

Bihar to Develop Buxar Bhagalpur Expressway with DPR in Progress