The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved two major infrastructure projects in Bihar—the Patna-Arrah-Sasaram Corridor and the Kosi-Mechi Intra-State Link Project—designed to improve regional connectivity and enhance agricultural irrigation in the state on Friday.
Patna-Arrah-Sasaram Corridor Project approved
The CCEA approved the construction of a 4-lane access-controlled Patna-Arrah-Sasaram corridor (NH-119A), spanning 120.10 km. This project will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a capital cost of Rs. 3,712.40 crore. Currently, the route is congested, relying on state highways, with travel times between the cities taking 3-4 hours. The new corridor will feature both greenfield and brownfield developments, improving connectivity and reducing traffic bottlenecks.
The project will connect Patna with key transport nodes, including the upcoming Bihita Airport, Sasaram, and major railway stations. It will generate 48 lakh man-days of employment and contribute to socio-economic growth in the region. Upon completion, it will play a pivotal role in improving connectivity between major cities like Patna, Lucknow, Ranchi, and Varanasi, aligning with the government’s vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
Kosi-Mechi Intra-State Link Project gets approval
In a separate decision, the CCEA approved the inclusion of the Kosi-Mechi Intra-State Link Project under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP). The project, estimated to cost Rs. 6,282.32 crore, will receive central support of Rs. 3,652.56 crore and is expected to be completed by March 2029.
The project aims to divert surplus water from the Kosi River to irrigate the Mahananda basin in Bihar, creating an additional irrigation potential of 2.10 lakh hectares across four districts: Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj, and Katihar. This link project will remodel the Eastern Kosi Main Canal (EKMC), ensuring better water supply to existing farmlands while enhancing irrigation for Kharif crops in the region.