Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar gifted development projects worth Rs. 937.46 crore to Samastipur district as part of his Pragati Yatra. He inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 198 schemes, including 51 completed projects worth Rs. 500.82 crore and 147 new projects worth Rs. 436.64 crore.
During his visit, CM inaugurated the 100-bed Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Government Welfare Hostel in Raipur village, Ujiarpur block. He inspected the facilities, including the canteen and kitchen, and instructed officials to ensure smooth operations for the benefit of students.
The Emergency Response Facility cum Training Center was also inaugurated in Raipur. Kumar emphasized that the center will provide essential services during emergencies and serve as a training hub. Following the inauguration, he inspected various departmental stalls, self-help group displays, and other facilities set up at the center’s campus.
Highlighting the success of Jeevika self-help groups, Kumar shared that Bihar now has 10.61 lakh groups involving 1.31 crore women. Urban areas have also seen the formation of 26,000 groups with 3 lakh members. During the visit, Jeevika members expressed their gratitude for the government’s initiatives, including the Bihar Small Entrepreneur Scheme.
Symbolic cheques were distributed to beneficiaries of various schemes. These included Rs. 4.34 crore for 217 beneficiaries under the Chief Minister’s Udyami Yojana and Rs. 3.31 crore for 331 beneficiaries under the Bihar Laghu Udyami Yojana. Kumar also distributed Ayushman Vaya Vandana Cards, house keys under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana, and cheques for agricultural and livelihood initiatives.
At Muktapur Moin in Kalyanpur block, Kumar inspected the proposed beautification and renovation work by the Tourism Department. He directed officials to construct paths on both sides of the area, increase water conservation through deeper excavation, and install adequate lighting.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for two road overbridges (ROBs) at a cost of Rs. 99.23 crore and Rs. 119.51 crore, respectively. These bridges, located in the Muktapur-Kishanpur and Samastipur-Pusa Path sections, aim to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity.
In Warisnagar block, Kumar visited Sheikhopur village and inspected a pond renovated under the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan. He praised the beautification efforts, planted saplings, and released fish seeds and ducks into the pond. He also inaugurated a Health and Wellness Center and reviewed development projects in Ward No. 3 of the village.
At the Anganwadi Centre in Sheikhopur, Kumar interacted with teachers and children, gathering details about the facilities provided. He also unveiled plaques for ongoing projects and distributed funds to beneficiaries of various welfare schemes.
Kumar visited the site of a proposed high-level RCC bridge to replace the old screw pile bridge parallel to Magardah Ghat Bridge. Officials briefed him on the project, which aims to address traffic issues in the area. He instructed them to expedite construction.
Union Ministers Nityanand Rai and Ramnath Thakur, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and several MLAs and public representatives accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit. Senior officials, including Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena and Darbhanga Division Commissioner Manish Kumar, were also present.
The Pragati Yatra aims to accelerate developmental activities across Bihar, with Kumar’s visit to Samastipur marking a significant step in this direction.
