₹1,700 crore ring road project cleared for Muzaffarpur; NHAI begins 17-km corridor survey

To reduce traffic congestion in Muzaffarpur and enhance inter-district connectivity, a 17-kilometre-long ring road project has been approved. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has started a traffic survey to collect data on the number and type of vehicles using existing routes. The ring road is aimed at connecting multiple highways without routing traffic through the city.

The proposed route will start from Madhaul and pass through Dighra and Mushahari before reaching Bakhri. It will provide direct links between Muzaffarpur-Hajipur National Highway, Darbhanga Highway, and other major road networks. Once completed, it will allow vehicles travelling between Darbhanga, Samastipur, Patna, and Hajipur to bypass the city. The project involves construction of a four-lane road and is estimated to cost ₹1,700 crore.

The traffic survey is being conducted to assess current traffic volumes on existing roads such as Muzaffarpur–Patna and Muzaffarpur–Samastipur routes. Data from this survey will also help estimate future vehicle movement on the planned ring road. The survey includes evaluation of vehicle counts, travel speeds, and average journey times. A report will be prepared based on these findings for the next phase of planning.

According to officials, the project was given administrative approval in a cabinet meeting following Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s review of the area during his visit in January. The road will be constructed in two segments. The first segment spans approximately 5 kilometres from Madhaul to NH-28 at Dighra, while the second segment will cover around 12 kilometres from Dighra via Mushahari and Chaturi Punas to Bakhri.

The ring road will pass through multiple villages including Madhaul, Madhopur, Raghunathpur Jagdishpur, Rohua, Bhatauliya, Rohua Rajaram, Mushahari (Radhanagar), Hasan Chak Bangra, Chak Ahmad, Madapur Raini, Chikanota (Harpur), Chak Bhikki, and Bishunpur Gidha. Large-scale land acquisition will be required for the project. The district land acquisition office is currently assessing land requirements along the proposed route.