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Home India Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Notifications Cabinet approves Upgradation of the Muzaffarpur-Si... (Official PDF)
Date: 19th August 2026 Category: Press Release Jurisdiction: India, Central Government

Cabinet approves Upgradation of the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa Section of NH-22 to 4-Lane Standard in Bihar on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at total Capital Cost of Rs.3590.73 crore

Issued by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on 19th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.

Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

Executive Summary The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the upgradation of the 82.578 km Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 in Bihar to a 4-lane standard. Developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a total capital cost of Rs. 3590.73 crore, the project aims to improve regional connectivity and facilitate faster movement between the India-Nepal border and major economic centers. The approval was officially announced on 19 August 2026.

Key Points / Main Content

Project Overview and Cost

  • Scope: Upgradation of the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of NH-22 to a 4-lane standard.
  • Total Length: 82.578 km.
  • Investment: Total capital cost of Rs. 3590.73 crore.
  • Execution Model: Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).

Technical Specifications

  • Design Speed: Designed for a speed of 100 kmph with an average speed of 80 kmph.
  • Safety Features: No at-grade median openings to ensure fast and safe travel.
  • Infrastructure: Includes seven major bridges (including a 340m bridge over the Bagmati River), three Railway Over Bridges (ROBs), and two flyovers (1170m and 270m).

Strategic Connectivity and Integration

  • Regional Linkage: Connects the India-Nepal border at Sonbarsa to Muzaffarpur at NH-27 (East-West Corridor).
  • Strategic Synergies: Integrates with NH-31 and NH-122, enhancing access to industrial zones like Barauni and the Land Port at Bhithamore.
  • GatiShakti Alignment: Planned under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan to improve multimodal integration with five economic nodes (four industrial estates, one mega food park) and two logistic nodes (Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi railway stations).

Socio-Economic Benefits

  • Congestion Relief: Significantly reduces traffic in densely populated areas such as Muzaffarpur, Runni Saidpur, and Sonbarsa.
  • Tourism Access: Provides improved access to the Buddhist Circuit and the Janaki Punaura Dham Temple in Sitamarhi.
  • Efficiency: Expected to reduce travel time, improve fuel efficiency, and lower vehicle operating costs.

Impact Analysis

Commuters and Local Residents Impact Reduced traffic congestion in populated areas and significantly faster, safer travel with improved regional mobility. Action Required N/A (Beneficiaries of the infrastructure).

Logistics and Freight Operators Impact Enhanced movement of goods and agricultural supply chains; seamless linkage to the national freight grid and facilitated cross-border cargo movement via Bhithamore. Action Required Utilize the upgraded 4-lane corridor and Land Port connectivity for optimized route planning.

Industrial and Economic Hubs Impact Improved connectivity for four industrial estates, one Mega Food Park, and riverine logistics hubs along the Ganga. Action Required Align logistics and supply chain operations with the improved infrastructure to leverage multimodal integration.

Religious and Cultural Tourists Impact Better accessibility to key spiritual sites, including the Buddhist Circuit and historic temples in Sitamarhi. Action Required N/A (Beneficiaries of improved road access).

Key Entities Referenced

Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa Section of NH-22: The 82.578 km road stretch in Bihar being upgraded to a 4-lane standard to provide connectivity to the India–Nepal border and the national freight grid. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA): The high-level committee that approved the project upgradation at a total capital cost of Rs. 3590.73 crore. PM GatiShakti National Master Plan: The national framework for multimodal integration and regional connectivity that guided the planning and principles of this project. Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM): The specific public-private partnership model adopted for the development and financing of the highway project.
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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways Cabinet approves Upgradation of the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa Section of NH- 22 to 4-Lane Standard in Bihar on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at total Capital Cost of Rs.3590.73 crore प्रव तथ: 19 AUG 2026 3:25PM by PIB Delhi The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today has approved the Upgradation of the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa Section of NH-22 to four-Lane Standard in Bihar. The project will be developed on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at a total capital cost of Rs.3590.73 crore with a total length of 82.578 km. The proposed project holds significant strategic and economic relevance due to its integration with Bihar’s expanding National Highway network. It acts as a key feeder corridor connecting the India–Nepal border at Sonbarsa with economic centers like Muzaffarpur at NH-27 (East–West Corridor). The project will significantly reduce congestion in densely populated areas of Muzaffarpur, Muksudpur, Runni Saidpur, Thumma, Dumra, Bhutahi, and Sonbarsa. The project is expected to enable faster and safer movement of passengers and freight, improve travel efficiency and strengthen regional connectivity. It has been designed for a speed of 100 kmph with an average speed of 80 kmph, having no at-grade median openings, ensuring fast and safe travel. Planned in accordance with the principles of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the project will enhance multimodal integration by improving connectivity to key economic, social and logistics nodes, including industrial areas and major railway stations. Improved connectivity will facilitate efficient movement of goods and agricultural supply chains, support regional economic growth, and provide better access to important cultural and religious destinations such as the Buddhist Circuit and historic Janaki Punaura Dham Temple, Sitamarhi. The Muzaffarpur–Sitamarhi–Sonbarsa stretch of NH-22 holds significant strategic and economic relevance, ensuring seamless linkage to the national freight grid. It is in synergy with existing corridors such as NH-31 and NH-122 enhances connectivity to industrial zones like Barauni and riverine logistics hubs along the Ganga It also enhances cross-border passenger and cargo movement via the nearby Land Port at Bhithamore. In addition, the project has provision for seven Major Bridges (including a 340m long major bridge over the perennial Bagmati River), three Railway Over Bridges (ROBs), and two Flyovers (1170m & 270m) to maintain cross movement of the traffic and ensure safe, high-speed travel. The project will increase average travel speeds, reduce travel time, and improve overall road safety, fuel efficiency, and vehicle operating costs, thereby enhancing regional mobility and socio-economic development.The project provides seamless connectivity to key economic, social, and logistics nodes across Bihar. Additionally, the upgraded corridor will enhance connectivity to five PM Gati-Shakti Economic Nodes (four Industrial Estates and one Mega Food park), four Social Nodes (Baba Garibnath Temple, Mata Janki Temple, Punaura Dham, Muzaffarpur & Sitamarhi aspirational Districts), and two Logistic Nodes (Muzaffarpur & Sitamarhi Railway Stations), thereby facilitating faster movement of goods and passengers across the region. *** MJPS (रलीज़ आईडी: 2301145) आगंतुक पटल : 872 इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही , Marathi , Punjabi , Gujarati , Tamil , Kannada , Malayalam

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