Union Cabinet Approval for Patna-Arrah-Sasaram Corridor

The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of a 120-km-long four-lane access-controlled corridor connecting Patna, Arrah, and Sasaram in Bihar.

Project Specifications

• Estimated Cost: Rs 3,712 crore.
• Development Model: Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
• Development Packages: 
  • Package 1: 74.43-km-long stretch to be completed in 24 months.
  • Package 2: 45.67-km-long stretch to be completed in 30 months.

Connectivity Enhancement

• Improves regional connectivity between key cities: Lucknow, Patna, Ranchi, and Varanasi.
• Provides connectivity to: 
  • Two airports: Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport and upcoming Bihita airport.
  • Four major railway stations: Sasaram, Arrah, Danapur, Patna.
  • One inland water terminal.
• Connects five National Highways: NH-19, NH-319, NH-922, NH-131G, NH-120.

Current Connectivity Challenges

Presently, connectivity between Sasaram, Arrah, and Patna relies on state highways (SH-2, SH-12, SH-81, SH-102) and takes 3-4 hours due to heavy congestion, particularly in Arrah town.

Project Development

• Includes creating a greenfield corridor, along with 10.6 km of upgradation of existing brownfield highway.
• Aims to reduce congestion in densely built-up areas: Arrah, Grahini, Piro, Bikramganj, Mokar, and Sasaram.

Economic Impact

• Generates 48 lakh man-days of employment.
• Opens new avenues for growth, development, and prosperity in and around Patna.