Patna: The Bihar government has handed responsibility for constructing Makhana clusters in Darbhanga, Saharsa and Katihar to the Infrastructure Development Authority (IDA), marking a major step in the Chief Minister’s Micro and Small Industries Cluster Development Scheme. The decision was taken at a recent meeting of the scheme’s state-level committee under the Industries Department.
The committee has directed district Industries Centres and Jeevika units in the three districts to provide the required technical and logistical information for the project. According to officials, Rs 1.98 crore has been approved for the Darbhanga cluster, around Rs 2.34 crore for Saharsa and approximately Rs 2.50 crore for Katihar. Jeevika has been designated the project monitoring agency, while IDA will serve as the implementing body.
Guidelines have been issued for registering special purpose vehicles and managing land-related procedures, which are necessary for the clusters to take shape.
Progress and pending issues in other clusters
The committee also reviewed work on several other industrial clusters across the state.
Rice mill cluster, Lakhisarai:
The proposal for a new cluster was discussed but deferred to the upcoming state-level committee meeting for further consideration.
Jhula cluster, Kanhaiyaganj (Nalanda):
The committee has sought an updated status report. Machines are operational in the first phase and the procurement of transformers is under way.
Silav Khaja cluster:
Construction of the cluster building has been completed, but the project is stalled due to a civil court case concerning access to the common facility centre.
Sheep button clusters, East Champaran:
A common facility centre has been set up in Bathna but remains non-functional. The cluster at Main Mahesi faces similar operational issues.
Brass Bronze and Water Chestnut clusters, Vaishali:
No updated report is available on the Brass Bronze cluster in Ramrai. Officials say there is significant conflict among members of the Brass Bronze Kasera Tola Manjhaulia cluster, leading to restrictions on withdrawals from associated bank accounts.
The state-level committee is expected to revisit these projects in subsequent meetings, with officials indicating that progress across clusters will depend on resolving administrative and coordination challenges.
