PM Modi launches development projects worth Rs 36,000 cr in Bihar

PM Narendra Modi addresses a rally in Bihar, on Monday. PIC/X

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Monday launched multiple development projects worth around Rs 36,000 crore in Bihar's Purnea district, reported news agency PTI.

PM Modi inaugurated a newly developed terminal building at Purnea Airport, which will enhance passenger handling capacity in the region, and flagged off the first flight on the Kolkata route.

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Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, several Union and state ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs) and legislative assembly were also present.

PM Modi laid the foundation stone for a 3x800 megawatt (MW) thermal power facility worth Rs 25,000 crore at Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, which is the state's largest private sector investment, reported PTI.

A senior official said, "It is designed on ultra-super critical, low-emission technology. The project will provide dedicated power and strengthen Bihar's energy security."

The PM also laid the foundation stone for Phase-1 of the Kosi-Mechi Intra-State River Link Project, worth over Rs 2,680 crore, reported PTI.

"It will focus on upgrading a canal, including desilting, reconstruction of damaged structures, and renovation of the settling basin, while also enhancing its discharge capacity from 15,000 to 20,000 cusecs," he said. The project is expected to benefit multiple districts in north-eastern Bihar by expanding irrigation, improving flood control, and enhancing agricultural resilience, the official added.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several rail projects and flagged off multiple trains. He laid the foundation stone for the Bikramshila-Katareah rail line, worth over Rs 2,170 crore. The project will provide direct connectivity across the Ganga.

PM Modi also inaugurated a new rail line between Arariya and Galgalia, built at a cost of Rs 4,410 crore, and flagged off a train, which establishes direct rail connectivity between Araria and Kishanganj districts, significantly improving access in north-eastern Bihar.

Further, he also launched the Vande Bharat Express between Jogbani and Danapur. The line is set to benefit the Araria, Purnea, Madhepura, Saharsa, Khagaria, Begusarai, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, and Patna districts. The Amrit Bharat Express trains between Saharsa-Chheharta (Amritsar) and Jogbani-Erode were also flagged off on Monday. According to an official, these trains will promote economic, cultural, and social integration across regions.

Further, PM Modi also participated in the ‘Griha Pravesh' ceremonies for 35,000 rural beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin and 5,920 more people under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Urban. He handed over the keys of the new homes to a few beneficiaries. PM Modi also distributed around Rs 500 crore in community investment funds to cluster-level federations (CLF) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission in Bihar, handing over cheques to selected CLF heads.

(With PTI inputs)