Raxaul-Haldia Expressway update: Route map, DPR, tender status & how it will boost Bihar-Bengal trade by 2028
This expressway will connect Raxaul on the India-Nepal border in Bihar to the strategic Haldia Port in West Bengal. It will pass through 12 districts in Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, and is expected to be completed by 2028.
Raxaul-Haldia six-lane greenfield expressway will pass through eight districts of Bihar. The target for completing this expressway has been set for 2028. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved its alignment, and the land acquisition process will begin soon. pic.twitter.com/2XilhV03Zn
Raxaul-Haldia Expressway route map
The finalised route map of the Raxaul-Haldia Expressway covers key districts such as Raxaul, Motihari, Shivhar, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Lakhisarai, Jamui, Banka, and Munger in Bihar, before crossing Jharkhand and entering West Bengal near Haldia.
The expressway includes major infrastructure like 27 major bridges, 201 minor bridges, 51 interchanges, and a 4.5 km bridge over the Ganga River near Begusarai, designed for speeds up to 120 kmph. (as per khabarinfra)
Raxaul-Haldia Expressway: Detailed project report (DPR) and tender status
The DPR for the Raxaul-Haldia Expressway was approved in December 2022, with route alignment finalised by mid-2025. Land acquisition has commenced, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is overseeing the tendering process, which is expected to begin soon. Construction work is projected to start shortly, with a completion target set for 2028.
Raxaul-Haldia Expressway: Bihar-Bengal trade and connectivity
This expressway will drastically reduce travel time from around 17-18 hours to under 10 hours between Raxaul and Haldia. This will facilitate faster movement of goods and people. It will enhance trade connectivity between Bihar and West Bengal.
It will strengthen cross-border commerce with Nepal by linking the Indo-Nepal border directly to a major maritime port. The expressway will also integrate with the Golden Quadrilateral highway network, improving regional logistics and economic growth.
Economic and social benefits of the Raxaul-Haldia Expressway
The expressway is expected to generate employment, improve road safety through controlled access, and boost sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and mining by easing transportation of goods. It will also improve access to healthcare and tourism, notably reducing travel times to major cities like Patna and Kolkata.
The corridor will act as a catalyst for industrial development across Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
Raxaul-Haldia Expressway: Project timeline
With government approvals secured and land acquisition underway, the Raxaul-Haldia Expressway is slated for completion by 2028, with an estimated investment of ₹39,000-54,000 crore.
Once operational, it will transform eastern India's trade landscape, linking inland production hubs to the Haldia Port and facilitating export-import activities at a faster pace.
FAQs
Q: What is the current status of the Raxaul-Haldia Expressway project?
Answer: The Detailed Project Report (DPR) was approved in December 2022, and the route alignment was finalized by mid-2025. Land acquisition has started, and construction is expected to begin soon, with completion targeted by 2028.
Q: How will the Raxaul-Haldia Expressway impact Bihar-Bengal trade?
Answer: The expressway will significantly reduce travel time and logistics costs, boosting trade between Bihar and West Bengal by providing direct, high-speed connectivity to Haldia Port, facilitating faster export-import operations.
Q: Which districts will the expressway pass through in Bihar?
Answer: The expressway will traverse 12 districts in Bihar, including Raxaul, Motihari, Shivhar, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Lakhisarai, Jamui, Banka, and Munger.
Q: What is the estimated cost and length of the Raxaul-Haldia Expressway?
Answer: The expressway will be approximately 650 km long, with an estimated project cost between ₹39,000 crore to ₹54,000 crore.
Q: How will the expressway improve travel and safety?
Answer: Designed for speeds up to 120 kmph, the six-lane access-controlled expressway will reduce accidents by limiting entry and exit points, and cut travel time from nearly 17-18 hours to under 10 hours between Raxaul and Haldia.
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