Patna, June 16 (IANS) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary on Tuesday dismissed reports suggesting changes in the alignment of the proposed Patna-Purnea Expressway, calling them “completely baseless” and “misleading”.

He said that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had also clarified that such reports were “factually incorrect” and allegedly intended to spread misinformation.

According to the Deputy Chief Minister, certain media and digital platforms, including a national newspaper, had claimed that the route alignment of the expressway in Samastipur district had been changed.

However, the state Road Construction Department has denied the allegations.

Pankaj Kumar Pal, Bihar Road Construction Department Secretary, clarified that there has been no deviation or alteration in the alignment between kilometer 48+000 and 53+000 of the expressway project.

He said that the ongoing land acquisition process is proceeding strictly according to the originally approved route alignment.

Government officials said the route for the expressway was finalised after evaluating socio-economic factors, technical feasibility, and standards prescribed by the Indian Roads Congress.

The alignment was reportedly reviewed and approved by a high-level committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, National Highways Authority of India, other technical, and expert agencies.

According to the department, final approval for the alignment was granted on January 15, 2025.

The department also denied allegations circulating in some reports that the alignment was changed under pressure from influential individuals.

Officials clarified that the 3A notification issued on March 6, 2026, was likewise based on the same original alignment approved earlier.

The Bihar government reiterated that the Patna-Purnea Expressway is a project of national importance and assured that it would be implemented transparently and within the prescribed timeline.

Authorities also appealed to the public not to pay attention to rumours or misleading reports regarding the project.

Once this project is completed, the distance from Patna to Seemanchal districts such as Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar and Purnea would be cut short with a travel time of less than five hours and reaching Siliguri and other Northeastern states will be easy.

–IANS

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