PATNA, Jan. 30 -- The road construction department (RCD) is pushing hard to start work on two major national highway projects - Masrakh-Chapra-Chakiya-Bhithamore (NH-227 and 227A) and Arwal-Jehanabad-Bihar Sharif (NH-110) - from the next financial year. Together worth around Rs.13,000 crore, these corridors are considered vital not just for better connectivity but also because they pass through areas of deep religious and spiritual importance.

Officials said district magistrates of the concerned districts have been directed to accelerate land acquisition and secure at least 90% of the required land so that the detailed project reports (DPRs) can be sent for Union cabinet approval at the earliest.

The 145-km Masrakh-Chakiya-Bhithamore st...