Bihar’s Infrastructure Gets a Major Boost: Patna-Gaya-Dobhi Highway Inaugurated
Nabinagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the four-laning of the Patna-Gaya-Dobhi section of National Highway 22, a project supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The project, spanning approximately 127 km, aims to enhance connectivity, promote regional economic development, and boost tourism in the state. The upgraded highway is expected to reduce travel time between Patna and Dobhi by more than half, from 3.38 hours to 1.56 hours.
According to officials, the project will deliver a transformational impact by improving the overall efficiency of passenger and freight movement and supporting the state’s economic growth. The highway will also provide improved access to important tourist sites, including Bodh Gaya’s Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar, State Minister for Road Construction Department, Secretary MoRT&H, Chief Secretary of Bihar, Chairman NHAI, and Consul General of Japan in Kolkata, ISHIKAWA Yoshihisa.
TAKEUCHI Takuro, Chief Representative, JICA India, said, “This Patna-Gaya-Dobhi highway project is a testament to the deep partnership between India and Japan. It reflects our shared commitment to regional economic development by coping with the increased demand for road transport.”
The project was implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and funded by JICA’s Japanese ODA loan of 22,903 million yen under the Loan Agreement signed in 2013.
The upgraded corridor connects Bihar’s major national highways and offers improved access to important tourist sites, including Bodh Gaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is expected to boost local economies and create better access to opportunities across Bihar.
The inauguration of the Patna-Gaya-Dobhi highway marks a significant milestone in Bihar’s infrastructure development, and is expected to stimulate investment, enhance logistics, and contribute to the state’s long-term development goals.
