The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the upgradation of the Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Sonbarsa section of NH-22 in Bihar to a four-lane standard. The project will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a total capital cost of ₹3,590.73 crore. The upgraded stretch will cover 82.578 km.
The project is expected to strengthen Bihar’s expanding National Highway network and improve connectivity across the region. It will serve as a key feeder corridor between the India–Nepal border at Sonbarsa and Muzaffarpur, where it connects with NH-27, part of the East–West Corridor.
The four-laning is expected to ease congestion in densely populated areas along the route. These include Muzaffarpur, Muksudpur, Runni Saidpur, Thumma, Dumra, Bhutahi and Sonbarsa. Better road capacity is expected to support smoother movement of both passengers and freight while improving travel efficiency and regional connectivity.
The upgraded highway has been designed for a speed of 100 kmph, with an average speed of 80 kmph. It will have no at-grade median openings, supporting safer and faster movement of traffic. The project is also expected to reduce travel time while improving road safety, fuel efficiency and vehicle operating costs.
The project has been planned in accordance with the principles of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. It will improve connectivity to important economic, social and logistics nodes, including industrial areas and major railway stations.
The improved corridor is expected to facilitate the movement of goods and agricultural supply chains. It will also support regional economic growth by strengthening links between key centres across Bihar.
The upgraded NH-22 corridor will connect five PM GatiShakti Economic Nodes. These include four Industrial Estates and one Mega Food Park. It will also improve connectivity to four Social Nodes, including Baba Garibnath Temple, Mata Janki Temple, Punaura Dham, and the Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi aspirational districts.
The project will further strengthen access to two Logistic Nodes: Muzaffarpur Railway Station and Sitamarhi Railway Station. These links are expected to facilitate faster movement of passengers and goods across the region.
The Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Sonbarsa stretch also has strategic importance for the national freight grid. Its integration with existing corridors such as NH-31 and NH-122 will strengthen connectivity to industrial areas such as Barauni and riverine logistics hubs along the Ganga.
The corridor will also support cross-border passenger and cargo movement through the nearby Land Port at Bhithamore. This will add to the importance of the route as a regional connectivity link between Bihar and the India–Nepal border.
Several major structures have been included in the project to maintain smooth traffic movement and improve safety. The plan provides for seven Major Bridges, including a 340-metre-long major bridge over the perennial Bagmati River. It will also include three Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) and two flyovers measuring 1,170 metres and 270 metres.
These structures are planned to maintain cross movement of traffic and support safe, high-speed travel along the upgraded corridor.
The project will also improve connectivity to important cultural and religious destinations. These include the Buddhist Circuit and the historic Janaki Punaura Dham Temple in Sitamarhi. Better road access is expected to make movement to these destinations more convenient.
With its combination of improved highway capacity, bridges, railway over bridges and flyovers, the project is expected to provide a more efficient road link across the region. Its connections with industrial estates, a Mega Food Park, railway stations, logistics facilities and other important nodes will further strengthen the movement of people and goods.
The ₹3,590.73-crore project is therefore expected to improve regional mobility while supporting economic, agricultural, logistics, social and cultural connectivity along the Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Sonbarsa corridor.
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