The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹3,590.73 crore project to four-lane the Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi-Sonbarsa section of National Highway 22 (NH-22) in Bihar, strengthening road connectivity between northern Bihar and the Nepal border.
The project covers approximately 82.6 km and will provide a wider, higher-capacity road connection from the Nepal border at Sonbarsa through Sitamarhi to Muzaffarpur. From Muzaffarpur, the route connects with NH-27, which forms part of the East-West Corridor.
The highway upgrade is expected to improve India-Nepal trade and freight movement, providing a more efficient road corridor for cargo travelling between Nepal, northern Bihar and the wider Indian highway network. Better connectivity could also support industrial, agricultural and commercial activity along the corridor.
The project will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM). Construction is scheduled to be completed within approximately 30 months, according to the government.
The upgraded corridor will include significant structures and safety infrastructure. The project provides for seven major bridges, three railway overbridges and six underpasses, including a 340-metre bridge across the Bagmati River.
The four-laning is expected to improve traffic capacity and reduce congestion on the existing highway, while providing more reliable travel times for commercial vehicles. The improved road infrastructure should also strengthen links between production centres, markets, logistics facilities and border trade points.
For the logistics sector, the project is particularly significant because Sonbarsa is an important India-Nepal border crossing. Faster highway connectivity to Muzaffarpur and onward connections to NH-27 can improve the movement of trucks and other commercial vehicles between the border and major markets in eastern and northern India.
The project forms part of the government’s broader infrastructure push to improve border connectivity, multimodal logistics and regional trade corridors. By upgrading a key road leading toward the Nepal border, the investment is expected to strengthen Bihar’s position in India-Nepal commercial connectivity.
Once completed, the four-lane NH-22 corridor could provide a safer and more efficient freight route while supporting economic activity in Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi and surrounding districts. It is also expected to complement ongoing investments in rail, highways and logistics infrastructure across eastern India.
The ₹3,591 crore investment therefore represents a major addition to Bihar’s transport infrastructure and could play an important role in improving cross-border trade, freight efficiency and Nepal-facing logistics connectivity over the coming years.