Cabinet Approves Rs. 3,822 Crore Project for 4-Lane NH-139W in Bihar

NEW DELHI – The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the construction of a four-lane section of National Highway 139W in Bihar. The project, spanning 78.942 km from Sahebganj to Bettiah via Areraj, has been greenlighted with a total capital cost of Rs. 3,822.31 crore under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).

The proposed project aims to significantly enhance connectivity between the state capital Patna and the North Bihar districts of Vaishali, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, and West Champaran, extending up to the Indo-Nepal border. It is expected to improve the flow of long-distance freight, boost access to key infrastructure, and drive regional economic development by linking agricultural and industrial areas.

This new greenfield alignment will also connect several PM Gati Shakti economic and social nodes, as well as major tourist and religious sites. The project is set to strengthen the Buddhist circuit by improving access to heritage sites, including the Kesariya Buddha Stupa in Sahebganj, Someshwarnath Mandir in Areraj, and the Mahavir Temple in Patna, thereby enhancing the state's international tourism potential.

Designed to serve as a high-speed alternative to existing congested routes, the new highway will have an average vehicular speed of 80 km/h, reducing the travel time between Sahebganj and Bettiah from the current 2.5 hours to just 1 hour. This will ensure safer, faster, and uninterrupted travel for both passenger and freight vehicles.

Furthermore, the project is poised to be a significant job creator, with estimates suggesting it will generate approximately 14.22 lakh man-days of direct employment and **17.69 lakh man-days of indirect