Patna: In a landmark development for Bihar’s infrastructure, alignment for the ambitious six-lane Raxaul-Haldia Greenfield Expressway has received formal approval from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India. This 585.35 km expressway, connecting Raxaul on the India-Nepal border to Haldia Port in West Bengal, is poised to transform connectivity, trade, and economic prospects across eastern India. The project, with an estimated cost of ₹39,000 crore, will traverse 12 districts in Bihar, pass through Jharkhand, and culminate at the strategic Haldia Port, significantly boosting regional and international trade, particularly with Nepal.
Project Details and Route
The Raxaul-Haldia Expressway, a greenfield project under the Bharatmala Pariyojna (Phase-2), will span 585.35 km, with approximately 408 km passing through Bihar. The expressway will connect key districts in Bihar, including Raxaul, Motihari, Shivhar, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Lakhisarai, Jamui, Banka, and Munger. It will then cross into Jharkhand through districts like Deoghar and Jamtara before reaching Haldia Port in West Bengal, passing through Medinipur and Bardhaman districts.
The project includes significant infrastructure components, such as 27 major bridges, 201 minor bridges, 51 interchanges, and a notable 4.5 km bridge over the Ganga River near Birpur village in Begusarai district. Designed for a maximum speed of 120 kmph, the expressway will reduce travel time between Raxaul and Haldia from the current 17-18 hours to under 10 hours, offering a faster, safer, and more efficient route for commuters and freight.
Economic and Regional Impact
The Raxaul-Haldia Expressway is expected to be a game-changer for Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, fostering economic growth and enhancing connectivity to global markets via Haldia Port. Raxaul, located in East Champaran on the India-Nepal border, is a critical hub for cross-border trade, handling 56% of goods from Nepal’s Birgunj to India. The expressway will provide Nepal’s exporters with high-speed access to Kolkata and Haldia ports, streamlining logistics and boosting trade efficiency.
A senior officer of the road construction department (RCD) said that Bihar Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena played a pivotal role in getting the alignment cleared by the Central government. “The discussion on alignment of Raxaul-Haldia expressway has been going between Bihar and MoRTH for quite a long time, but it is often kept pending citing issues with alignment in West Bengal. Bihar has been insisting for clearance of this expressway, as it will change transport dynamics between north and south Bihar and Jharkhand,” added the officer.
“This expressway is not just a road but a pathway to economic transformation. It will integrate Bihar with national and international trade networks, create jobs, and spur industrial growth,” said another officer of the RCD. The project is expected to enhance access to mineral-rich regions in Bihar and Jharkhand, promote tourism, and drive real estate development along its route. It will also alleviate congestion on existing routes like NH-28A, which is currently in poor condition.
The expressway aligns with Bihar’s vision to ensure that any part of the state is reachable from the capital, Patna, within 3.5 hours by 2027. This ambitious goal is supported by the development of five major expressway projects in Bihar, including:
1. Raxaul-Haldia Expressway (585 km)
2. Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway (417 km)
3. Patna-Purnia Expressway (250 km)
4. Buxar-Bhagalpur Expressway (300 km)
5. Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway (161 km in Bihar)
Strategic Importance and Connectivity
The Raxaul-Haldia Expressway will integrate with the Golden Quadrilateral via NH-116 and NH-16, enhancing connectivity to other Indian states and facilitating seamless trade flows. It will replace outdated and congested roads, offering a modern, access-controlled highway with limited entry and exit points to ensure steady traffic flow and enhanced safety. The expressway’s alignment through key industrial and agricultural hubs will enable faster movement of goods, particularly benefiting sectors like agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
Additionally, the project will improve access to healthcare, emergency services, and tourism destinations, particularly in regions like Deoghar, which will see travel times to Patna and Kolkata reduced to just three hours. The expressway’s connectivity to Patna will also enhance the transport of horticultural produce for export via Patna airport, further boosting the state’s economy.
Project Timeline and Progress
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the expressway was approved in December 2022, with alignment finalized in mid-May 2025 and route approval completed in June 2025. Land acquisition has begun, with construction expected to start soon and the project slated for completion by 2028. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is overseeing the project, ensuring high standards of construction and design.
Challenges and Considerations
While the project has garnered widespread support, challenges remain, including potential delays in land acquisition and coordination between the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Some concerns have been raised about the accessibility of the expressway for local communities, as high tolls and restrictions on non-motorized vehicles like cycles and carts may limit its use for local traffic. Discussions are ongoing to address these concerns, potentially through the inclusion of service lanes for local commuters.
Broader Context
The Raxaul-Haldia Expressway is part of a larger plan to develop over 1,300 km of expressways in Bihar, with projects worth ₹3 lakh crore aimed at transforming the state’s connectivity and economic landscape. Other key projects include the 181 km Patna-Buxar Expressway, which connects to the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh, and the 92 km Bakarpur-Dumriya Ghat Expressway, enhancing connectivity between Patna, Muzaffarpur, Saran, and Vaishali. These initiatives are expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities for lakhs of people and position Bihar as a manufacturing and investment hub.
The approval of the Raxaul-Haldia Greenfield Expressway marks a significant milestone in Bihar’s journey toward prosperity. By connecting remote areas to major trade hubs, reducing travel times, and fostering economic growth, this project is set to redefine the region’s infrastructure landscape. As Bihar continues its ambitious push for connectivity, the expressway stands as a testament to the state’s vision of becoming a key player in India’s economic and trade ecosystem by 2027.
