The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the four-laning of the 82.578-km Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 in Bihar. The project will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a total capital cost of ₹3,590.73 crore. The upgraded corridor is expected to strengthen road connectivity between Muzaffarpur and the India-Nepal border at Sonbarsa.
The project is strategically important as it will connect the border corridor with Muzaffarpur and the wider national highway network, including NH-27. The four-laning is expected to ease congestion in heavily populated areas along the route, including Muzaffarpur, Muksudpur, Runni Saidpur, Thumma, Dumra, Bhutahi and Sonbarsa. Designed for a maximum speed of 100 kmph and an average speed of 80 kmph, the corridor will have no at-grade median openings to improve traffic flow and road safety.
Developed in line with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the project will improve links to industrial, railway, logistics and other economic nodes across the region. It is expected to support the movement of agricultural produce and freight, strengthen connections with industrial areas such as Barauni and improve access to river-based logistics along the Ganga. The corridor will also facilitate cross-border passenger and cargo movement through the nearby Bhithamore Land Port, while improving access to destinations including the Buddhist Circuit and Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi.
The project includes seven major bridges, including a 340-metre bridge over the perennial Bagmati River, along with three railway overbridges and two flyovers measuring 1,170 metres and 270 metres. The upgraded road is expected to reduce travel time, improve average vehicle speeds, enhance road safety and lower fuel and vehicle operating costs. It will also provide improved connectivity to five PM GatiShakti economic nodes, four social nodes and two logistics nodes centred around Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi railway stations, giving a further boost to regional mobility and economic activity.