The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a four-lane Sahebganj–Areraj–Bettiah section of National Highway (NH) 139W in Bihar. The project, spanning 78.94 km, will be built at an estimated cost of ₹3,822.31 crore.
Planned as a greenfield project under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), the highway is expected to significantly boost connectivity between Patna and Bettiah, covering several districts in north Bihar including Vaishali, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, and West Champaran, extending up to the India–Nepal border.
According to the government, the highway will enhance the movement of long-distance freight, improve access to industrial and agricultural hubs, and support cross-border trade. It is also expected to strengthen regional economic development.
The project’s design speed is 100 km/h, with an average vehicular speed of 80 km/h. This will cut travel time between Sahebganj and Bettiah from the current 2.5 hours to just one hour, offering faster, safer, and uninterrupted travel for both passenger and cargo vehicles.
In addition to easing congestion on existing routes, the highway will connect seven PM Gati Shakti economic nodes, six social nodes, eight logistic hubs, and nine tourism and religious centres. It will also improve access to key heritage and Buddhist tourist sites such as Kesariya Buddha Stupa, Someshwarnath Mandir, Vishwa Shanti Stupa, and Mahavir Temple, thereby strengthening Bihar’s Buddhist tourism circuit and international appeal.
The highway will serve as a crucial link to several national highways, including NH-31, NH-722, NH-727, NH-27, and NH-227A.
The construction is expected to generate around 14.22 lakh man-days of direct employment and 17.69 lakh man-days of indirect employment, with further job opportunities anticipated through increased economic activity in the region.
