Bihar Chief Secretary Inspects Key Industrial Areas in Muzaffarpur and Hajipur

Muzaffarpur: Bihar’s Chief Secretary, Amritlal Meena, conducted an extensive tour of several industrial zones in Muzaffarpur and Hajipur, focusing on key projects such as the Mega Food Park, Bag Cluster, Textile Cluster, and Safety Shoe Unit. The inspection aimed to expedite development and address key issues affecting local industries.

During his visit to the Mega Food Park in Motipur, Muzaffarpur, which spans 143 acres, Shri Meena emphasized the need to accelerate construction efforts. The park, which is set to host food processing activities, is currently building two warehouses, a litchi chamber, a banana chamber, and 10 micro sheds. The Chief Secretary instructed officials to complete the work swiftly to facilitate operational activities.

At the Bag Cluster in the Bela Industrial Area, Meena interacted with Jeevika Didi workers, inquiring about their progress under the government’s Mahila Udyam Yojana. The cluster, which houses 53 sheds, has 42 of them allotted to Jeevika Didi, where 25 machines are used for bag production. Each worker has received ₹10 lakh in support. Meena suggested that bags produced by Jeevika Didis should be marketed in Khadi Malls and other private retail outlets to boost sales.

Meena also visited the Textile Cluster, which provides employment to approximately 600 people, producing garments such as T-shirts and jackets. He acknowledged the significance of these clusters in supporting the local workforce, particularly women.

In Hajipur, the Chief Secretary toured Competence Exports Private Limited, a manufacturer of safety shoes for the Russian Army, with exports reaching countries such as the UK, Netherlands, and France. The company currently employs 300 artisans, including 200 women, and plans to expand by producing gloves and military uniforms. Meena encouraged the company to explore opportunities to supply products to the Indian Army and the domestic market. He also recommended the installation of solar panels across all units and stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness in industrial areas.

Shri Meena was accompanied by key officials, including Director of Industries Alok Ranjan Ghosh, Executive Director of BIADA Chandrashekhar Singh, and District Magistrate Muzaffarpur Subrata Kumar Sen. He praised the work of Jeevika Didi and visited “Didi Ki Rasoi,” commending the operation’s success.

The Chief Secretary issued several key development instructions, including ensuring the ongoing cleanliness and upkeep of the Hajipur Industrial Area. He also directed the installation of solar panels on the roofs of all industrial units and emphasized the importance of guaranteeing an uninterrupted power supply across all industrial zones. Additionally, he called for the establishment of regular monthly meetings with representatives of industrial units to ensure continued collaboration and progress.

In Muzaffarpur, the Chief Secretary also addressed challenges faced by the biofuel industry, recommending measures to mitigate losses incurred by ethanol units due to rising maize prices. Additionally, he called for the immediate construction of a sewage treatment plant and the establishment of an Inland Container Depot (ICD) with railway siding to boost logistics in North Bihar.

For the Mega Food Park, Meena directed BIADA to complete infrastructure works by March 2025 and ensure the appointment of an operational and maintenance agency. He also stressed the need for permanent staffing and the allocation of sheds to Jeevika Didis.

In the Bela Industrial Area, which is evolving into a textile hub, Meena highlighted the 35,000 square feet of land allocated for a women’s hostel. He instructed BIADA to develop essential amenities like toilets, food courts, solar lighting, internal roads, and drainage systems. Furthermore, he called for the relocation of the railway siding and the construction of a Road Over Bridge (RoB) to improve connectivity.