Centre approves Rs 3,712 crore Patna-Sasaram 4-lane highway project

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday approved the construction of a 4-lane access-controlled highway connecting Patna, Arrah, and Sasaram in Bihar. The ₹3,712.40 crore project aims to decongest existing state highways and improve regional connectivity.

Developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), the 120-km Patna-Arrah-Sasaram corridor will be a mix of greenfield and brownfield development, with 10.6 km of existing roads upgraded. HAM, a public-private partnership model, ensures 40% of project costs are funded by the government as annuity payments, while private developers arrange the remaining 60% through debt or equity.

Currently, commuters between Patna, Arrah, and Sasaram rely on congested State Highways (SH-2, SH-12, SH-81, and SH-102), leading to a travel time of 3-4 hours. The new highway will cut congestion in towns like Arrah, Grahini, Piro, Bikramganj, Mokar, and Sasaram, offering a faster and more efficient route.

The highway will integrate with National Highways NH-19, NH-319, NH-922, NH-131G, and NH-120, improving connectivity to Aurangabad, Kaimur, and Patna. It will also link to major transport hubs, including Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport, the upcoming Bihta airport, four railway stations (Sasaram, Arrah, Danapur, and Patna), and an Inland Water Terminal in Patna.

Boost to economic growth and employment

The project is expected to play a key role in boosting economic activity across Lucknow, Patna, Ranchi, and Varanasi, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. It will generate 48 lakh man-days of employment, spurring development and new business opportunities in Bihar.

Once completed, the corridor will enhance freight movement, reduce travel time, and support regional growth and socio-economic development, unlocking new potential for Bihar’s infrastructure and economy. IANS