New Delhi, September 24, 2025 – The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has greenlit the development of a four-lane greenfield highway along the Sahebganj-Areraj-Bettiah stretch of NH-139W in Bihar. This project, to be executed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), spans 78.942 km with an estimated cost of Rs. 3,822.31 crore.
The initiative aims to enhance connectivity between Patna, the state capital, and Bettiah, linking key northern Bihar districts such as Vaishali, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, and West Champaran, extending to regions near the Indo-Nepal border. The highway will streamline the flow of long-haul freight, improve access to critical infrastructure, and boost regional economic growth by connecting agricultural belts, industrial hubs, and cross-border trade pathways.
The project will integrate seven PM Gati Shakti economic hubs, six social centers, eight logistics points, and nine prominent tourism and religious sites. This includes enhancing access to significant cultural landmarks and Buddhist attractions like Kesariya Buddha Stupa (Sahebganj), Someshwarnath Mandir (Areraj), Jain Mandir, Vishwa Shanti Stupa (Vaishali), and Mahavir Temple (Patna), thereby enriching Bihar’s Buddhist circuit and global tourism appeal.
NH-139W is designed to offer a high-speed alternative to existing congested and substandard routes that traverse urban areas, serving as a vital link to NH-31, NH-722, NH-727, NH-27, and NH-227A. The new alignment will support average vehicle speeds of 80 km/h, with a design speed of 100 km/h, cutting travel time between Sahebganj and Bettiah from 2.5 hours to just 1 hour. This will provide a safer, faster, and seamless travel experience for both passenger and cargo transport.
Spanning 78.94 km, the project is expected to create approximately 14.22 lakh direct job days and 17.69 lakh indirect job days. Additionally, it is poised to spur further employment opportunities by fostering economic activity along the corridor.
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