The Central Government on Wednesday approved the development of the Sahebganj-Areraj-Betiya section of NH-1W as a four-lane greenfield highway under the hybrid annuity mode. The project, estimated to cost Rs 3,822 crore, will span 78.94 km and connect Patna to Betiya, significantly reducing travel time from two and a half hours to just one hour.

The new highway will provide robust connectivity to districts including Vaishali, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, and East and West Champaran. Road Construction Minister Nitin Nabin thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting that the project will link seven PM Gati Shakti economic nodes, six social nodes, eight logistic nodes, and nine major tourism and religious centres.

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Once completed, NH-1W will enhance access to heritage and religious sites such as Kesaria Buddha Stupa (Sahebganj), Someshwarnath Temple (Areraj), the Jain Temple and Vishwa Shanti Stupa (Vaishali), and Mahavir Mandir in Patna. Officials said the highway will strengthen the Buddhist Circuit and boost Bihar’s international tourism potential.

The project will also relieve congestion on alternative routes and address structural challenges, while serving as an important link to NH-31, NH-722, NH-727, NH-27, and NH-227A. 

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During construction, the highway is expected to generate employment opportunities for over 30 lakh persons, contributing to economic growth in the region.