Bihar's agricultural backbone gets highway boost from farms to markets

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved a project to upgrade the Khagaria-Purnea section of NH-31 and NH-231 to a four-lane highway, which will cost Rs. 3936.05 crore. The project aims to address traffic congestion and seasonal disruptions in Bihar's agricultural heartland, improve regional mobility, and enhance the highway's resilience against recurring flood-related challenges.

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Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01The proposed upgradation of the Khagaria–Purnea section of NH-31 and NH-231 is expected to cost Rs. 3936.05 crore.
02The upgradation aims to improve road geometry, strengthen pavement structures, and integrate modern drainage systems to enhance flood resilience.
03The current travel time between key destinations in Eastern Bihar's transport network can take around 3.5 to 4 hours.
04Once operational, the upgraded corridor is expected to reduce travel time to approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
05The four-laning of the Khagaria–Purnea section will benefit farmers in Bihar's agricultural heartland by enabling faster transportation of high-value crops.
06Bihar's per capita income has witnessed a remarkable increase of over 700 percent due to improved road infrastructure.
07The upgraded corridor is designed to support more reliable transportation throughout the year, particularly during seasonal flooding.
08The Kosi and Ganga river systems have historically affected road connectivity in Eastern Bihar, leading to travel uncertainty for local communities.

Trap alerts

Most people think that the upgradation of the Khagaria–Purnea section is solely focused on improving transportation efficiency, but actually it also aims to enhance flood resilience.
Most people think that the project's primary goal is to boost Bihar's agricultural economy through increased production, but actually it focuses on improving logistics and reducing travel time.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

What is the estimated cost of upgrading the Khagaria-Purnea Section of NH-31 and NH-231?

A.Rs. 1000 crore
B.Rs. 3936.05 crore
C.Rs. 5000 crore
D.Rs. 8000 crore

The estimated cost of upgrading the Khagaria-Purnea Section is Rs. 3936.05 crore, which will improve regional mobility and support reliable transportation in Eastern Bihar.

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding Bihar Highway Upgradation: 1. The upgradation of NH-31 and NH-231 is expected to cost Rs. 2000 crore. 2. The project aims to reduce travel time between key destinations from 3.5-4 hours to approximately 1 hour. 3. The new highway will be built by the Ministry of Shipping and Ports. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None

Statement 1 is incorrect because the actual cost of upgradation is Rs. 3936.05 crore (Fact 2). Statement 2 is also incorrect as it underestimates the expected reduction in travel time from 3.5-4 hours to approximately 1.5-2 hours (Fact 4). Statement 3 is incorrect because the actual Ministry responsible for the upgradation is the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, not the Ministry of Shipping and Ports.

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