One of Bihar’s most ambitious road projects, the Patna–Purnia Expressway, has been formally granted the status of a National Expressway by the Central government. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued a notification declaring this expressway as National Expressway-9 (NE-9). This will be Bihar’s first expressway to run entirely within the state’s boundaries.

The Bihar government has expressed gratitude to the Centre. State Road Construction Minister Nitin Nabin said, “The notification of the Patna–Purnia Expressway as National Expressway-9 is a proud moment for Bihar. Following the announcement, work is progressing at a rapid pace. The state government is extending all necessary cooperation to the Centre to ensure its timely completion and will continue to do so.”

The 250-km-long expressway will start from Mirnagar Arezi (Hajipur) on NH-22 and pass through Narharpur, Harlocanpur, Bazidpur, Saronja, Rasna, Parora and Fatehpur before joining NH-27 (East-West Corridor) at Hansdah in Purnia district. The project will feature 21 major bridges, 140 minor bridges, 11 railway overbridges, 21 interchanges, and 322 underpasses. Additionally, separate link roads will be constructed to connect the district headquarters of Samastipur, Saharsa and Madhepura.

According to officials, land acquisition is progressing rapidly across more than 250 villages in 29 blocks of six districts for the project. Construction work will begin as soon as land acquisition is completed. The Chief Secretary said that the acquisition process for Bihar’s first expressway will be carried out at high speed. Vehicles on the expressway will be able to travel at up to 120 km per hour. The Patna–Purnia Expressway will be the ninth national expressway in the country and the first in Bihar.