Patna: Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has assigned crucial districts and development portfolios to three trusted ministers in what appears to be a calibrated attempt to drive Bihar’s next phase of industrialisation, urban expansion and infrastructure growth.
The appointments — made following the cabinet expansion and allocation of portfolios — underline the government’s emphasis on attracting large-scale investment, building satellite townships and improving regional connectivity across the state.
Among the ministers who have emerged at the centre of the Chief Minister’s strategy are Nitish Mishra, Shreyasi Singh and Er. Shailendra, all from the BJP quota in the coalition government.
The state government has repeatedly outlined its ambition to attract investments worth nearly Rs 5 lakh crore into Bihar. Officials believe industrial development, township expansion and improved transport infrastructure will be central to achieving that target.
Shreyasi Singh, who has been given charge of the Industries Department, has also been appointed minister-in-charge of Sitamarhi, a district expected to witness major religious tourism and urban development projects in the coming years.
The district is being linked to several proposed infrastructure corridors, including the Ram-Janaki Path connecting Ayodhya, the Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway and the Raxaul-Haldia Expressway. Plans are also underway for the development of a large satellite township equipped with modern civic infrastructure and surveillance systems.
The state government is simultaneously pushing ahead with the redevelopment of Punauradham, believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita, as “Sitapuram”. The project includes the construction of a grand Janaki temple complex, a parikrama route and associated tourism infrastructure.
Nitish Mishra, who heads the Urban Development Department, has been made minister-in-charge of Bhagalpur, another district at the centre of the government’s investment plans.
Bhagalpur is expected to host one of Bihar’s largest industrial projects — a proposed 2,400 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant by the Adani Group in Pirpainti. The project, estimated to cost more than Rs 21,000 crore, is also linked to plans for a rail-cum-road corridor aimed at improving freight connectivity.
The district has additionally been identified for the development of a greenfield satellite township under the state’s urban expansion programme. Authorities are also considering a proposed riverfront “Marine Drive” project between Bhagalpur and Munger along the Ganges, estimated at around Rs 8,500 crore.
Officials said the land acquisition process linked to the corridor project has already received administrative clearance after a Social Impact Assessment by the Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI), Patna.
Meanwhile, Road Construction Minister Er. Shailendra has been appointed minister-in-charge of Darbhanga, where several high-profile infrastructure and urban development projects are underway.
These include the proposed AIIMS campus and the “Mithila Green City” project, both seen as significant to the government’s efforts to strengthen north Bihar’s healthcare and urban infrastructure.
Political observers view the appointments as an indication that the Chief Minister is attempting to closely align ministerial responsibilities with districts expected to receive major public and private investments in the coming years.
