India Approves High-Speed Corridor Linking Pashupatinath and Baidyanath Dham

The Government of India has approved a proposal to build a new high-speed road corridor connecting Nepal’s revered Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu with Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, Jharkhand. The corridor is intended to facilitate smoother, safer, and faster travel for pilgrims visiting two of the most important Hindu shrines in South Asia.

According to Bihar Road Construction Minister Dr. Dilip Jaiswal, the central government has already directed administrative agencies to begin preparatory work for the project. The corridor has received a budget allocation of INR 82.6 billion in Bihar’s fiscal budget for 2026/27.

The proposed corridor will begin in Kathmandu and pass through Bhimnagar and Birpur, entering India at Supaul district in Bihar. From there, it will traverse Madhubani, Saharsa, Khagaria, Munger, and Banka districts before reaching Deoghar in Jharkhand. The total length of the corridor is estimated at around 240 kilometres.

The route will also pass through Sultanganj–Aguwani Ghat, crossing the Ganga River via a bridge that is currently under construction. Officials believe this strategic alignment will significantly reduce travel time while enhancing road safety.

The project was proposed about seven months ago by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary during discussions with Nitin Gadkari, India’s Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways. The proposal gained momentum due to the massive influx of pilgrims during the Shravani Mela, when devotees walk barefoot from Sultanganj carrying holy water to Baidyanath Dham. Many Indian pilgrims also travel to Nepal to visit Pashupatinath Temple.

To support religious practices, the corridor will include dedicated service roads for pedestrians, especially designed for barefoot pilgrims, ensuring comfort and safety during long-distance journeys.

Bhagalpur District Magistrate Dr. Naval Kishore Choudhary confirmed that the project’s route map has already been prepared. He stated that implementation will begin as soon as detailed proposals are received from the concerned ministries.

Beyond religious significance, officials believe the corridor will enhance cross-border tourism, trade, and economic cooperation between Nepal, Bihar, and Jharkhand, strengthening people-to-people ties and regional development.