Patna–Purnea Greenfield Expressway Sparks Land Price Surge Across Kosi–Seemanchal Region

Patna/Purnea: The announcement of the Patna–Purnea Greenfield Expressway, hailed as a future lifeline for Bihar’s development, has triggered a dramatic surge in land prices across the Kosi and Seemanchal regions, even before the project’s detailed alignment has been officially released.

With a massive ₹12,600 crore allocation announced in the state budget, areas falling along the proposed corridor—from Patna to Purnea—are witnessing unprecedented activity in the real estate market. Land rates have escalated sharply, while property dealers and land syndicates have become increasingly active.

A Game-Changer in Connectivity

Once completed, the expressway is expected to halve travel time between Patna and Purnea—from the current 6–7 hours to just about 3 hours.

Key Project Highlights:

• Length: Approximately 275 km
• Cost: ₹12,600 crore
• Design: 6-lane access-controlled expressway
• Speed Limit: Up to 120 km/h
• Infrastructure: 17 major bridges and 6 Road Over Bridges (ROBs)
• Local Access: Two-lane service roads on both sides to facilitate local traffic

Land Prices Soar Along the Proposed Route

Even in the absence of a finalized Detailed Project Report (DPR), speculative buying has pushed land prices to record highs. Though unofficial and market-driven, the following figures reflect prevailing demand trends being discussed locally:

Area	Earlier Price	Current/Expected Price
Samastipur (near city/Rosra, expressway zone)	₹4 lakh per kattha	Up to ₹30 lakh per kattha
Samastipur (flood-prone roadside areas)	₹20 lakh per bigha	Up to ₹50 lakh per bigha
Saharsa – Simri Bakhtiarpur (near city)	₹5 lakh per kattha	Up to ₹50 lakh per kattha
Madhepura – Udakishunganj (commercial pockets)	₹1–2 lakh per kattha	₹5 lakh+ per kattha
Outskirts of Purnea city	₹15 lakh per kattha	₹25 lakh per kattha

(Prices indicative and subject to market speculation.)

Rising Influence of Land Mafia, Farmers on Edge

With the final route yet to be officially notified, rumors and misinformation have created fertile ground for land mafias and middlemen. Reports suggest that farmers are being approached with inflated promises or misleading route details to clinch quick deals.

This has particularly unsettled farmers in the Kosi belt, where flood risks and waterlogging already make land security a sensitive issue. Many landowners are torn between selling early and waiting for fair compensation once official acquisition begins.

New Hope for a Historically Backward Region

Despite concerns, the expressway is widely seen as a transformational project for districts long affected by floods and underdevelopment—such as Saharsa, Madhepura, and Purnea. Smaller towns like Udakishunganj are now being viewed as potential commercial hubs.

While agricultural land has not yet seen the same spike as residential and commercial plots, competition among investors is intensifying. The Patna–Purnea Expressway is not merely an infrastructure initiative—it represents a strategic shift in North Bihar’s economic future.

Even amid route uncertainty, the rush to invest underscores the long-standing demand for this corridor and the profound impact it is expected to have on the region’s growth trajectory.