The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has designated the Patna-Purnia Expressway as a National Expressway, now known as National Expressway-9 (NE-9), marking a pivotal moment for Bihar. This is a significant infrastructure development for the state, as it is the first expressway to be built entirely within Bihar. Bihar’s Road Construction Minister acknowledged the central government’s support and emphasized the positive impact the project will have on regional connectivity and economic advancement in the eastern districts. Upon completion, the expressway is projected to reduce the travel time between Patna and Purnia to just three hours, fostering improved access to the Seemanchal region. This initiative aims to revitalize Bihar’s road network and promote socio-economic progress in the eastern districts. Spanning approximately 250 kilometers, the expressway will begin at Mirnagar Arezi near Hajipur and extend to Hansdah in Purnia district, passing through several villages and towns. The project includes the development of crucial infrastructure, such as major bridges, railway overbridges, interchanges, underpasses, and link roads, to ensure effective connectivity with district headquarters including Samastipur, Saharsa, and Madhepura. Land acquisition is underway in more than 250 villages in six districts, and construction is planned to commence immediately following the land acquisition process, contributing to the infrastructure development of Bihar.
