Cabinet Approves Rs 3,591 Crore Bihar Highway Widening Project

The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹3,590.73 crore project to widen the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of National Highway-22 in Bihar to four lanes. The project is aimed at improving road connectivity with the Nepal border while supporting trade, tourism and economic activity across the region. Construction is expected to be completed within 30 months using flexible pavement.

The upgraded highway will serve as an important transport corridor connecting Muzaffarpur with Sitamarhi and Sonbarsa near the Nepal border. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the road would become a major transport artery for Bihar and contribute to the state’s long-term development. The improved connectivity is also expected to make movement between important towns and border areas faster and more efficient.

The project includes several major infrastructure components designed to improve traffic flow and safety. According to the details announced by the government, the highway will feature seven major bridges, three road overbridges and six underpasses. A 340-metre bridge will also be constructed across the Bagmati River, with its design expected to account for flooding conditions in the region.

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The four-laning project is also expected to strengthen tourism and local economic activity. The highway will provide better access to important religious and tourism destinations, including the Mata Janki Temple in Sitamarhi and Punaura Dham. Better road connectivity could encourage greater movement of visitors while helping businesses and communities located along the highway corridor benefit from increased economic activity.

The project will connect several economic, social and logistics nodes identified under the PM Gati-Shakti framework. These include five economic nodes comprising four industrial estates and a Mega Food Park, along with social nodes such as Baba Garibnath Temple, Mata Janki Temple and Punaura Dham. Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi railway stations have also been identified as key logistics nodes that will benefit from improved highway connectivity.

The highway upgrade is expected to improve the movement of both passengers and goods across northern Bihar while strengthening links towards the Nepal border. With new bridges, overbridges and underpasses planned along the route, the project is intended to address existing connectivity challenges and support regional development. The government has said the investment will help create a stronger economic corridor connecting major commercial, social and logistics centres in the state.

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