India, Sept. 24 -- The union cabinet on Wednesday approved a railway and a highway project in Bihar worth a combined Rs.6,014 crore.

The 78.94 km four-lane highway on the Sahebganj-Areraj-Bettiah section of National Highway (NH) 139W, worth Rs.3,822.31 crore, will be built under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), connecting Patna and Bettiah in Bihar.

"It will link key districts including Vaishali, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran and West Champaran, opening access to agricultural zones, industrial hubs, and religious tourism circuits," a statement issued by the government said.

Following the cabinet meeting, union rail minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project is aimed at improving travel efficiency, reducing congesti...