The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth Rs 21,400 crores in Aurangabad, Bihar today. The development projects of today include the sectors of road, railway and Namami Gange among others. The Prime Minister also took a walkthrough of the photo gallery. 

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that a new chapter of Bihar’s development is being written today on the land of Aurangabad which has given birth to many freedom fighters and great personalities such as Bihar Vibhuti Shri Anugrah Narayan. He said that projects worth about Rs 21,500 crores are being inaugurated or foundation stones are being laid including sectors of road and rail that provide a glimpse of a modern Bihar. Mentioning the foundation stone laying of Amas-Darbhanga four lane corridor, Danapur-Bihta four lane elevated road and Sherpur-Dighwara Phase of Patna Ring Road, the Prime Minister said that it is the present government’s identity to also complete the projects on time and dedicate to the nation. “This is Modi’s guarantee”, the Prime Minister said, as he highlighted laying the foundation stone for Ara Bye Pass rail line and twelve projects under Namami Gange program. The Prime Minister underlined that the people of Bihar, especially the citizens of Aurangabad are eagerly waiting for the Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway as it will reduce travel time to UP and Kolkata to a few hours. The Prime Minister highlighted the present government’s style of working and congratulated the people of Bihar for the development projects of today.

The Prime Minister paid tributes to Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur who was recently conferred Bharat Ratna by the Government. “This award is the honor of the entire Bihar”, said the Prime Minister. He also mentioned Pran Patishtha at the Shri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya Dham and said it is a matter of great happiness in the land of Mata Sita. He pointed out the massive fervour and joyous participation in the Pran Pratishtha by the people of Bihar. 

Mentioning the resumption of double-engine government in the state, the Prime Minister said that today Bihar is full of enthusiasm and self-confidence. The Prime Minister also commented on the marginalization of dynasty politics in Bihar. 

Pointing to the scale of the development projects in just one day, the Prime Minister said this is an indication of the speed of change under the double-engine government. He said that the road projects will change the picture of cities like Patna, Nalanda, Jahanabad, Gaya, Vaishali, Samastipur and Darbhanga. Similarly, places of tourist interest at Bodhgaya, Vishnupad, Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, and Pavapuri. Upcoming Darbhanga Airport and Bihta airports will also be connected with this road infrastructure. 

Reflecting on the turnaround of possibilities for the tourism sector of Bihar, the Prime Minister mentioned the flagging off of modernized trains like Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat, and the development of Amrit Bharat Stations. Shri Modi also looked back on the days of growing insecurity among the citizens leading to the migration of youth, and highlighted today’s era where youth are being trained under skill development programs. PM Modi also mentioned laying the foundation stone for Ekta Mall worth about Rs 200 crores to promote handicrafts from Bihar and said that it signifies a new direction and positive thinking for the state. “We won’t let Bihar slip back into old times. This is a guarantee”, the Prime Minister said. 

“Bihar will develop when the poor of Bihar will develop”, said the Prime Minister elaborating about the government’s focus on the poor, dalit, backwards, tribals, and deprived. He informed that about 9 crore beneficiaries are getting the benefit of PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. Ujjwala Gas connections have benefitted 1 crore women in Bihar. 90 lakh farmers are beneficiaries of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi with Rs 22,000 crore transferred to their accounts. He said only 2 percent of households were getting piped water till 5 years ago while more than 90 percent of houses have Nal se Jal now. There are 80 lakh Ayushman Card holders in Bihar and  North Koyal reservoir Yojana will be completed soon giving irrigation facilities to 1 lakh hectare in 4 districts of Bihar and Jharkhand. 

“Development of Bihar, Peace, Rule of law and order, and rights to sisters & daughters in Bihar – this is Modi's guarantee”, the Prime Minister concluded as he expressed confidence in working to fulfill these guarantees and create a Viskit Bihar in the third term of the government. Upon the Prime Minister’s request, the crowd turned on their mobile flashlights to celebrate today’s occasion of the festival of development.

Governor of Bihar, Shri Rajendra V Arlekar, and Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar, Shri Samrat Choudhary and Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha were present on the occasion among others including Members of Parliaments, Legislative Assemblies and Ministers from Government of Bihar. 

Background

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several National Highway projects worth more than Rs 18,100 crores. The projects that will be inaugurated include a 63.4 km long two-lane with paved shoulder Jaynagar-Narahia section of NH-227; section of six lane Patna ring road from Kanhauli to Ramnagar on NH-131G; a 3.2 km long second flyover parallel to existing flyover in Kishanganj town; four laning of 47 km long Bakhtiyarpur-Rajauli; and four laning of 55 km long Arra - Parariya section of NH–319. 

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for six National Highway projects including the construction of 55 km long four-lane access-controlled Greenfield National Highway from Amas to village Shivrampur; 54 km long four-lane access-controlled Greenfield National Highway from Shivrampur to Ramnagar;  47 km long four-lane access controlled greenfield National Highway from village Kalyanpur to village Balbhadarpur; 42 km long four-lane access controlled greenfield National Highway from Balbhadarpur to Bela Nawada; 25 km long four lane elevated corridor from Danapur – Bihta Section; and upgradation of existing two lane to four lane carriageway of Bihta - Koilwar section.  The road projects will improve connectivity, reduce travel time, boost tourism and lead to socio-economic development of the region.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the six lane bridge across River Ganga that will be developed as a part of Patna Ring Road. This bridge will be one of the longest river bridges in the country.  This project will decongest traffic through Patna city and provide faster and better connectivity between the North and South parts of Bihar, promoting the socio-economic growth of the entire region.

The Prime Minister inaugurated twelve projects under Namami Gange in Bihar that have been developed at a cost of about Rs 2,190 crore. The projects include Sewage Treatment Plant at Saidpur & Pahari;  Sewerage Network for Saidpur, Beur, Pahari Zone IVA; Sewerage system with Sewer network at Karmalichak; Sewerage scheme at Pahari Zone V;  and Interception, Diversion & Sewage Treatment Plant at Barh, Chhapra, Naugachia, Sultanganj and Sonepur town. These projects ensure wastewater treatment before it is released into the river Ganga at several places, boosting cleanliness of the river and benefiting the people of the region.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of Unity Mall in Patna. To be constructed at a cost of more than Rs 200 crore, the project is envisioned as a state-of-the-art facility, encompassing international design practices, technology, comfort, and aesthetics. The mall will provide dedicated spaces to states, union territories, and districts, enabling them to showcase their unique products and craftsmanship. There will be 36 large stalls for States/ UTs and 38 small stalls for each district of Bihar. Unity Mall will promote local manufacturing and promotion of One District One Products, Geographical Indicators (GI) products and handicraft products of Bihar and India. The project will have a significant socio-economic benefit in terms of employment generation, infrastructure development and exports from the state.

The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation three railway projects in Bihar including the project for doubling of Patliputra to Pahleza railway line; 26 km long new rail line between Bandhua – Paimar; and a MEMU Shed in Gaya. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Ara Bye Pass rail line. The rail projects will lead to better rail connectivity, improve line capacity and mobility of trains and boost industrial development in the region.

***

DS/TS