PM Modi Unveils ₹36,000 Crore Development Projects in Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Purnea district in Bihar on October 9, 2023, where he will launch a series of development projects totaling approximately ₹36,000 crore. This visit will include a public rally where he will announce key initiatives aimed at bolstering the region’s economy and infrastructure.

A significant highlight of Prime Minister Modi’s visit is the inauguration of the National Makhana Board. This initiative seeks to enhance the production of Makhana, a traditional aquatic crop, by promoting modern technology and improving post-harvest management. Bihar is responsible for about 90% of India’s Makhana production, with districts like Madhubani and Darbhanga providing ideal conditions for cultivation. The establishment of the Makhana Board is expected to elevate Bihar’s position in the global market for this product.

Major Infrastructure Investments

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate the Interim Terminal Building at the New Civil Enclave of Purnea Airport, significantly increasing passenger handling capacity in the region. Furthermore, he will lay the foundation stone for a thermal power project at Pirpainti in Bhagalpur, marking Bihar’s largest private sector investment at ₹25,000 crore. This project, utilizing ultra-supercritical technology, aims to enhance the state’s energy security.

Additionally, the Prime Minister will initiate work on the Kosi-Mechi Intra-State River Link Project, which is budgeted at over ₹2,680 crore. This project focuses on upgrading canals, desilting, and reconstructing damaged structures to improve irrigation and flood control across multiple districts in northeastern Bihar. The project’s enhancements will increase discharge capacity from 15,000 to 20,000 cusecs, providing vital support for agriculture and resilience against flooding.

Enhancing Connectivity and Agricultural Productivity

In alignment with efforts to improve regional transportation, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several railway projects. This includes the Bikramshila–Katareah rail line, valued at ₹2,170 crore, which will create a direct rail link across the Ganga River. He will also inaugurate the Araria–Galgalia (Thakurganj) line, which carries a budget of ₹4,410 crore, and flag off new trains to enhance travel efficiency in the area.

A notable initiative under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission is the inauguration of a Sex-Sorted Semen Facility in Purnea. This facility, the first of its kind in eastern and northeastern India, is designed to produce 500,000 doses of sex-sorted semen annually. By increasing the likelihood of female calf births, this facility aims to support small and marginal farmers, thereby boosting dairy productivity and income.

Beyond infrastructure, Prime Minister Modi will participate in the distribution of keys to 35,000 rural beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-R) and 5,920 urban beneficiaries under PMAY (U). He will also distribute ₹500 crore in Community Investment Funds to Cluster Level Federations under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), solidifying his government’s commitment to rural development.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit underscores a significant investment in Bihar’s development, aimed at improving the quality of life for residents and enhancing the state’s economic prospects. The various projects and initiatives launched during this visit are expected to have long-lasting impacts on the region’s infrastructure, agriculture, and overall growth.