Cabinet clears ₹3590 crore four-laning of NH-22 corridor to Nepal border in Bihar

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the four-laning of the 82.578-km Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 in Bihar at a total capital cost of ₹3,590.73 crore.

The project will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) and is expected to strengthen connectivity between the India-Nepal border at Sonbarsa and Muzaffarpur, where the corridor connects with NH-27, part of the East-West Corridor.

The upgraded highway is expected to ease congestion in densely populated areas including Muzaffarpur, Muksudpur, Runni Saidpur, Thumma, Dumra, Bhutahi and Sonbarsa, while enabling faster and safer movement of passengers and freight.

The corridor has been designed for a maximum speed of 100 kmph and an average speed of 80 kmph. The project will have no at-grade median openings, aimed at improving traffic flow and road safety.

The project is aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan and is expected to improve multimodal connectivity with industrial areas, railway stations and logistics nodes. It will also facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and goods and improve access to cultural and religious destinations, including the Buddhist Circuit and Janaki Punaura Dham Temple in Sitamarhi.

The corridor will complement existing routes such as NH-31 and NH-122, strengthening connectivity with industrial centres including Barauni and riverine logistics hubs along the Ganga. It is also expected to facilitate cross-border passenger and cargo movement through the nearby Land Port at Bhithamore.

The project includes seven major bridges, including a 340-metre bridge over the perennial Bagmati River, three railway overbridges and two flyovers measuring 1,170 metres and 270 metres respectively.

The upgraded corridor is expected to reduce travel time, improve average travel speeds, lower fuel consumption and vehicle operating costs, and enhance road safety and regional mobility.

According to the project plan, the highway will provide improved connectivity to five PM GatiShakti economic nodes, comprising four industrial estates and one mega food park. It will also connect four social nodes, including Baba Garibnath Temple, Mata Janki Temple and Punaura Dham, besides the aspirational districts of Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi.

The corridor will additionally improve access to Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi railway stations, identified as logistics nodes under the project.