Transport Services in Bihar

Bihar is one of the important states in India and serves as a major transit center which links northeastern regions with other parts of the country. This is a prime region that it enjoys wholesome transportation facilities with vast network of roadways, railways and airways that provides it perfect connectivity with other major parts of the country and world too. Bihar ranks third in terms of population in India which further necessitates the demand for quality transport network . When we talk about transport facilities in Bihar, it is both convenient and cost-effective making.

Transport Department, Govt. of Bihar

Transport department operating under Government of Bihar is the main authority which overlooks entire setup of transportation in the state. Several other departments and authorities concerning transport services also work under its supervision. Transport department of Bihar government aims to provide a fully integrated pro-active transport system and infrastructure in the state. It also works towards making transportation cost-effective and convenient to make trade and related activities easier. To update transport facilities in the state, transport department launches several schemes from time to time. Transport department of Bihar has also launched a helpline number for quick redressal of public grievances. In case of any complaint about demanding of bribe for work at DTO or if client is not getting their Driving License and Vehicle Registration documents on time, one can register complaints on this number. Such complaints will be attended by the customer care immediately and after verification complaint is forwarded to the dealing officer for taking needed action against the complaint.


Transport Department in Bihar recently launched the Computerized Learner’s License Test (CLLT) module on 10th March, 2013 at Patna Transport Office. Transport Department issues driving license and main objective of this initiative is to replace the then manual-testing process. This is the first time when such a computer-aided learners’ license test is being conducted in the state. This scheme has been a big hit as it not only saves time but also reduces interference of touts. Entire procedure of this learners' testing is hassle free and delivery time of learner license has also reduced with implementation of this scheme.

Transport Department, Govt. of Bihar
Vishwesaraiya Bhawan, Bailey Road, Patna - 800 015
Official Website: http://transport.bih.nic.in/

Transport Helpline (9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Phone: 0612-3212534 / 0612-2233333
Fax: 0612-2546212

Road Construction Department, Govt. of Bihar

Road construction department also operates under state government of Bihar and is responsible for construction of roads and bridges. This department works with objective of planning and designing road network to provide optimized connectivity to rural and urban areas as well as ensuring proper management of road communication to achieve goal of socio-economic development of the state. It also owes responsibility of upgradation, construction and maintenance of the roads and bridges using latest technology of construction.

Road Construction Department, Govt. of Bihar
Vishweshwaraiya Bhawan, Patna - 800 015
Official Website: http://rcd.bih.nic.in/

Toll Free No. : 1800-345-6161
Maintenance Cell: 0612-2545047

Roadways in Bihar

Bihar has a full-fledged network of state roadways and national highways. There are 29 national highways covering 2,910 km and a number of state highways with total length of 3,766 km. Major national highways which cover this state are NH 2, 19, 28, 28A, 28B, 30, 30A, 31, 57, 57A, 77, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 98, 102, 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 and 110. East-West corridor runs through Muzaffarpur-Darbhanga-Purnia cities of Bihar. Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) provides regular transport services in every nook and corner of the state. Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) also ply luxury buses on various routes in the state.

Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC)

To mange overall road transport facilities in the state, Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) was set up in 1959 under the provisions of Road Transport Corporation Act, 1950. BSRTC is a state-owned road transportation company, wholly owned by the Government of Bihar. Earlier, in 1953, Rajya Transport was established to maintain transport setup and at the same time, nationalization of some major routes also took place in the state. In May 1959, Rajya Transport was transferred to the newly created statuary corporation of BSRTC. From then, BSRTC is the main body providing road transport services in the state of Bihar.


BSRTC operates and maintains a fleet of more than 300 buses connecting all cities and towns within state of Bihar and neighboring states too. BSRTC not only connects every nook and corner of the state but also links this state with other surrounding regions including Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Odisha. However, contract for operation and maintenance of the buses has been given to two private companies viz. GIPL and Royal Cruiser. This contract is based upon public-private partnership (PPP).

Recently, BSRTC has entered into multiple agreements with Gireesh Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd (GIPL) to operate luxury coaches i.e. Mercedes Benz & Volvo covering cities within the state and outside. BSRTC's interstate luxury buses are well equipped with modern and passenger friendly equipments and services too. Premium Volvo air conditioned buses usually ply on inter-state routes including six routes between Bihar-Chhattisgarh, eight routes between Bihar-Jharkhand and nine routes between Bihar-Odisha. While nine buses ply on four different routes between Patna and Ranchi, Patna and Jamshedpur, Gaya and Ranchi and Gaya and Jamshedpur. Well, new routes are also being adding constantly to enhance transport services in the region. Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) aims to provide an effective transport system infrastructure to the people residing and visiting the state ensuring safety, reliability and cost efficiency in terms of roadways transportation.

Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC)
Address: Bailey Road, Patna
Website: http://transport.bih.nic.in/

Arvind Kumar Choudhary, Administrator, BSRTC
Tel: (0612)-2222011, 2222173

Railways in Bihar

Bihar has perfect rail connectivity within state and with other parts of the country. Bihar comes under East Central Railway division of Indian Railways which provides railway services in this state. A well-connected network of railways provides internal connectivity to most of the cities in Bihar as well as links it with other major cities of the country. Patna railway station is the major rail head in the state which has perfect connectivity with metropolitan cities i.e. Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. Hajipur is zonal headquarter of East Central railway in Bihar. Nepal Railways also operates two railway lines in Bihar. First one is 6 km broad gauge line connecting Raxaul in India to Sirsiya Inland Container Depot or Dry Port near Birganj in Nepal and this line is only used for cargo freight. Second line is 53 km 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge line connecting Jaynagar in India to Bijalpura in Nepal. This line has two sections, 32 km from Jaynagar to Janakpur and 21 km from Janakpur to Bijalpura. This line is mainly used for passengers.

East Central Railway
Headquarters: Hajipur, Bihar
Website: http://www.ecr.indianrailways.gov.in/

Railway Stations in Bihar

Patna Junction
Address: Station Road, Patna, Bihar, India
Line(s): Howrah-Delhi main line
Asansol-Patna section
Patna-Mughalsarai section
Patna-Gaya line
Zone(s): East Central Railway
Division(s): Danapur Division

Air-connectivity in Bihar

Bihar has a good network of roadways and railways which make it easily accessible from every part of the country. But, apart from that it also has few airports which are operational and serving citizens as well as tourists in the state. Currently, there are three operational airports at Patna, Gaya and Purnea. A civil airport is also present at Muzaffarpur. Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport (IATA: PAT, ICAO: VEPT), also known as Patna Airport is located 5 kms southwest of Patna, the capital of Bihar. This airport is controlled by Airports Authority of India and is categorized as a restricted International Airport by AAI. Well, it has custom facilities for receiving international chartered flights. As per AAI, it is the 21st busiest airport in India. This airport has an elevation of 170 feet (52 m) above mean sea level covering an area of 254 acres (103 ha). It possesses one runway designated 07/25 with an asphalt surface measuring 6,410 ft (1954 m) in length. Air India (Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai), Go Air (Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai), IndiGo (Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai), Jet Airways (Delhi, Indore, Kolkata, Lucknow), JetKonnect (Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata) and Spirit Air (Charter: Purnea, Kolkata) are the main airlines providing air connectivity and linking Bihar with all major cities of the country.

J.P.N.I. Airport
Address: Khajpura, Shaheed Pir Ali Khan Marg, Patna, Bihar 800014
Code: PAT
Elevation: 52 m
Phone: 0612 222 0683, 91-9471000714 (M)
E-Mail: apdpatna@aai.aero
Website: http://www.patnaairport.com/

Gaya Airport

Gaya Airport (IATA: GAY, ICAO: VEGY) is the second busiest airport after Patna in state of Bihar. Gaya Airport is an international airport located just 5 kms away from the temple city of Bodhgaya and also known as Bodhgaya Airport. Airports Authority of India (AAI) is the controlling body who manages overall functioning of Gaya Airport. This airport covers an area of 954 acres and has an elevation of 380 ft (116 m) above the mean sea level. Airport terminal building is spread over 7,500 square metres with capability of handling 250 incoming and 250 outgoing passengers. Along with, Airports Authority of India is also planning to develop this airport as a standby to the Kolkata Airport. Basically, it is a public airport serving Bihar state in India which provides good air connectivity with Singapore, Colombo, Bangkok, Paro and many others as well. Main national and international airlines which operates through this airport are Air India (New Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi, Yangon), Buddha Air (Kathmandu), Indian (New Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi), Druk Air (Paro, Kathmandu), Myanmar Airways International (Mandalay, Yangon), Golden Myanmar Airlines (Charter: Yangon), Mihin Lanka (Seasonal: Colombo, Hambantota), Thai Airways International (Seasonal: Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Varanasi).

Address: Airport Rd, Gaya, Bihar 823004
Code: GAY
Elevation: 377 m
Phone: 0631 221 0129, 91-9431224694(M)
E-Mail: apc_vegy@aai.aero

Purnea Airport

Purnea Airport (ICAO: VEPU) is another airport located in the Indian state of Bihar. It is situated near Purnia and is basically military airport. Indian Air Force is the main authority of this airport. Generally, this airport comes in restricted category. Spirit Air Private Limited has started non-scheduled flight services on Patna-Purnea and Purnea-Calcutta routes in association with a Bangalore-based company, Door to Door Services Limited (DTDS). These flights from Purnea airport are available to Kolkata and Patna twice a week.

Address: Purnea Airport, Goasi, Bihar 854303

Inland Waterways in Bihar

Inland waterways are also been a great way of transportation goods from ancient time. River Ganga had played major role in this regard serving as principal river highway across the vast area of north Indo-Gangetic Plain. It had been a major mode of transportation for overseas trade of goods from Patna (former Patliputra) and Bhagalpur (former Chamba) to Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. Recently, Inland Waterways Authority of India has declared the Ganges to be a national inland waterway between Allahabad and Haldia and has also taken steps to restore its navigability.

Local Transportation in Bihar

Bihar also scores in terms of availability of local transporation mediums. Various modes of local transportation such as state buses, private buses, auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, tempos etc are available for the conveniences of the people. Well, all these modes of local transportation are very common and can be easily found in every part of the state. Most of the population use local transport services for commuting in the cities and rural areas of the state. Buses are the major option for traveling in the state as well as autos and tempos play major role in approaching and covering every nook and corner of the entire region. Overall, local transport services are satisfactory that help in convenient commuting in this state.

Being a highly populated state, Bihar requires a well structured transport system to cater transport related needs of the citizens and tourists both. Well, transport department of Bihar has done satisfactory work in this regard and at present, all necessary transport facilities are available in this part of India. From roadways to railways to airways, all serve as good connecting medium when it comes to link Bihar within and with rest parts of the country and world as well. Along with transport department in Bihar is consistently working towards upgradation of present transport facilities to make it much more accessible and easier for better commutation in the state.

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