The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light for the widening and improvement of the Khagaria–Purnea section of National Highways 31 and 231. This initiative aims to transform the 143.5 km stretch into a four-lane corridor at an estimated cost of Rs 3,936.05 crore under the BOT-Toll model. The project includes enhancing the highway from Khagaria to Purnea, passing through significant districts like Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Katihar, and Purnea.
The approved plan also encompasses a 6.7-km greenfield bypass around Purnea city to alleviate congestion and enhance traffic flow. The project’s objective is to tackle traffic congestion, geometric deficiencies, and sharp curves along the existing route while enhancing travel efficiency and road safety. Bihar’s Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary hailed the project as a historic leap for the state’s progress and expressed gratitude to PM Modi for the approval.
The upgraded corridor is expected to enhance connectivity across the Kosi and Seemanchal regions, offering improved transportation facilities to residents. It is anticipated that the four-lane expansion will address the challenges posed by increasing traffic pressure on the corridor. The project is set to bolster regional economic activity by facilitating quicker movement of goods and passengers, benefiting agricultural transportation, market access, trade, logistics operations, industrial growth, investment, and tourism in eastern Bihar, along with enhancing inter-district connectivity across the Kosi and Seemanchal regions.
