Cabinet Clears Rs.3,590 Crore Four-Laning of NH-22 Corridor in Bihar

The Economic Affairs Cabinet Committee, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave the go‑ahead for widening the 82.578‑km Muzaffarpur‑Sitamarhi‑Sonbarsa stretch of NH‑22 in Bihar to four lanes. Executed via the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), the scheme carries an estimated outlay of ₹3,590.73 crore. Once completed, it will bolster road links between Muzaffarpur and the India‑Nepal frontier at Sonbarsa.

Key Takeaways

• The Cabinet approved four-laning the 82.578 km Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa stretch of NH-22 in Bihar at a cost of Rs 3,590.73 crore.
• The project will be executed via the Hybrid Annuity Model and will strengthen links to the India-Nepal border at Sonbarsa.
• The four-laning aims to ease traffic bottlenecks in towns including Muzaffarpur, Runni Saidpur and Dumra.
• The corridor is designed for a top speed of 100 km/h, omitting at-grade median openings to improve safety.

Strategically, the scheme will link the border stretch to Muzaffarpur and the broader highway grid, taking in NH‑27. By converting the road to four lanes, traffic bottlenecks in densely populated localities such as Muzaffarpur, Muksudpur, Runni Saidpur, Thumma, Dumra, Bhutahi and Sonbarsa should ease. Built for a top speed of 100 km/h and an average of 80 km/h, the corridor will omit at‑grade median openings, thereby smoothing traffic and raising safety.

Aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the initiative will enhance linkages to industrial hubs, rail facilities, logistics centres and other economic points in the area. It should aid the transport of farm goods and freight, bolster ties with industrial zones like Barauni, and upgrade access to river‑borne logistics on the Ganga. Moreover, it will enable smoother cross‑border passenger and cargo flows via the adjacent Bhithamore Land Port, and improve reach to sites such as the Buddhist Circuit and Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi.

The works comprise seven major bridges – notably a 340‑metre span over the perennial Bagmati River – plus three railway overbridges and two flyovers of 1,170 m and 270 m. Once upgraded, the road should cut travel times, raise average vehicle speeds, improve safety and cut fuel and operating expenses. It will also link five PM GatiShakti economic zones, four social hubs and two logistics centres situated near Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi stations, further uplifting regional mobility and economic vigor.