The Patna-Purnia Expressway has been officially designated as a National Expressway by the Indian central government, identified as National Expressway-9. This is a notable advancement for Bihar’s road infrastructure as it represents the first such expressway entirely contained within the state. The Road Construction Minister of Bihar expressed satisfaction with the central government’s decision, viewing it as a source of pride. The project is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Patna and Purnia to approximately three hours, thereby enhancing the accessibility and progress of the Seemanchal region. This is anticipated to reshape the state’s road network and promote socio-economic growth across the eastern districts. The expressway will stretch over 250 kilometers, commencing from Mirnagar Arezi near Hajipur and extending to Hansdah in Purnia district, encompassing numerous villages and towns. The project will include essential infrastructural elements such as large bridges, railway overbridges, interchanges, and underpasses, alongside connecting link roads to facilitate access to district headquarters like Samastipur, Saharsa, and Madhepura. Land acquisition activities are in progress across more than 250 villages across six districts, with construction expected to commence immediately once the land acquisition phase is complete, contributing significantly to the infrastructure development of Bihar.
