Author: Bihar Say | Amrita | From Bullock Carts to Vande Bharat: Purnia’s Remarkable Journey of Airports, Expressways, and Dreams Taking Flight Purnia: From Forgotten Dusty Trails to
From Bullock Carts to Vande Bharat: Purnia’s Remarkable Journey of Airports, Expressways, and Dreams Taking Flight
Once upon a time, Purnia was a district marked by dusty paths, bullock carts, and grinding poverty. Writer Phanishwar Nath Renu, in classics like Maila Anchal and Mare Gaye Gulfaam, painted this picture of despair. But today, that same Purnia is rewriting its destiny. From airports to expressways and the Vande Bharat Train, this district is stepping into a new era of growth.
Connectivity fuels progress, and Purnia has finally received its most ambitious road project—the Patna-Purnia Expressway. Recently declared National Expressway-9 (NE-9) by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, this will be Bihar’s first expressway built entirely within state borders. As a result, travel between Patna and Purnia will become smoother, faster, and more reliable. Businesses, education, and healthcare will expand as better roads create stronger bridges to opportunity.
On Monday, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the new terminal building at Purnia Airport, making it Bihar’s fourth operational commercial airport after Patna, Gaya, and Darbhanga. For the first time, people here can take off directly to major cities. In fact, nearly two crore residents of Seemanchal, Kosi, Bhagalpur, West Bengal, and even Nepal will benefit.
Now, reaching Kolkata will take just 70 minutes. Ahmedabad will be within two hours, and Delhi much quicker than ever before. This isn’t just about travel—it’s about opening doors to education, healthcare, trade, and agriculture markets that once seemed far away.
Railways are no longer just about distance; they’re about dignity and dreams. Rajesh Ranjan (Pappu Yadav) flagged off both Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat Trains from Purnia Junction, celebrating decades of public struggle and aspiration. For the people of Seemanchal and Kosi, these trains symbolize more than transport. They represent confidence, mobility, and the power to connect with India’s fastest-growing hubs.
In only two decades, Purnia has flipped its narrative. Where once poverty dictated lives, now development inspires futures. Expressways, airports, and modern trains are no longer distant promises—they are here. And more projects are already lined up to add to this momentum.
People who once relied on bullock carts are now boarding flights. Villagers who once traveled days for healthcare or jobs can now reach metros in hours. Purnia isn’t just changing—it’s shining.
👉 For more inspiring stories of Bihar’s growth, culture, and changemakers, follow www.biharsay.com and join our global 12k+ community reshaping Bihar’s image worldwide.
