Patna: The Bihar cabinet on Tuesday gave its administrative approval for a total amount of Rs 3516.05 crore for the comprehensive development of the Vishnupad Temple area in Gaya Ji on the lines of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi and construction of the Son-Phalgu river linking scheme.
The Vishnupad Temple area in Gaya Ji will be developed on the lines of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi at an estimated cost of Rs 2520 crore while the construction of the Son-Phalgu river linking scheme will be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 996 crore, Secretariat Department’s Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Arvind Kumar Chaudhary told reporters.
A total of 17 decisions were taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
Talking to reporters here in a post cabinet briefing held at IPRD conference room, Chaudhary said that the completion of this project will provide new impetus and strength to Gaya’s religious, spiritual, and cultural traditions, which have continued for thousands of years, particularly important religious rituals such as Pind Daan, Tarpan, and Pitru Paksha.
A slew of works are proposed under the scheme that included development of the temple complex, development of multilevel car parking, construction of an elevated pathway, construction of the Mansarwa-Manpur Bridge, construction of ramps, development of ghats, construction of dormitories and a canteen, construction of a pedestrian bridge, construction of statues, construction of the PFC Sita Kund, development of public amenities, the press note said and added that the scheme will be implemented by the Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL).
Construction of an intake well is proposed approximately 23 km upstream of the Indrapuri Barrage under the Son-Phalgu river linking scheme, it said adding that through the intake well, the required quantity of water will be lifted from the Son River and conveyed through an approximately 11-km-long pipeline to the North Koel Main Canal at approximately chainage 32.77 km.
मोक्ष की पावन नगरी गया जी के आध्यात्मिक वैभव को मिलेगा नया आयाम। 🕉️✨
विष्णुपद मंदिर परिक्षेत्र को काशी विश्वनाथ कॉरिडोर की तर्ज पर भव्य एवं सुव्यवस्थित रूप से विकसित करने तथा फल्गु नदी में अविरल जल की उपलब्धता सुनिश्चित करने के लिए फल्गु-सोन नदी को जोड़ने की ₹3,516 करोड़ की…
— Samrat Choudhary (@samrat4bjp) September 15, 2026
MOU FOR AIR CONNECTIVITY
In another important decision, the cabinet also approved an MoU between Civil Aviation Ministry, Airports Authority of India (AAI), New Delhi and the state government for expanding air connectivity in the state under regional connectivity scheme, Modified UDAN scheme.
As a result of MoU, the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Airports Authority of India, and the state government will be clearly defined. This will facilitate the provision of necessary financial assistance under the UDAN Scheme for new air routes proposed by the state and will also help in continuing operations on routes with low passenger demand during the initial period.
Under the Modified UDAN Scheme, various airports in the state are to be developed under the Challenge Mode. In addition, heliports are to be developed in the state’s Aspirational Districts under the Challenge Mode. This will provide these districts with significant benefits not only in terms of air connectivity but also with regard to emergency services and tourism.
These initiatives will provide air connectivity to smaller cities in the State and promote tourism, trade, and employment opportunities.
It also gave its nod for the constitution of “Bihar State Civil Aviation Cadre Recruitment Rules 2026” to regulate the recruitment and promotion of technical and non technical posts under Civil Aviation Department, Bihar.
CONTRACTUAL APPOINTMENT IN GOVT MED COLLEGES
The cabinet also gave its nod for recruitment to the post of Assistant Professors on contractual basis in five government medical colleges of the state untill regular appointments are made to these posts, ACS said adding that it would make the teaching faculty available in these colleges in line with standards set by National Medical Commission, New Delhi.
The five government medical colleges where contractual teaching appointments will be made includes- government medical colleges at Bettiah, Purnea, Chapra (Saran), Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Medical College, Madhepura, and Shri Ram Janki Medical College, Samastipur.
Similar contractual appointments of teaching faculty- Professor, Associate Professor and Assistant Professor – will be made in government dental colleges of the state till regular appointments to these colleges are made.
It also dismissed Dr Ravi Shankar Prasad, General Medical Officer, posted at APHC, Bahadur in Khagaria district, from the service for remaining unauthorisedly absent from the service since November 17, 2021.
RS 1000 CRORE FROM BCF FOR FLOOD PROTECTION & OTHER WORK
The cabinet also gave its nod for obtaining Rs 1,000 crore as an advance from the Bihar Contingency Fund under the Water Resources Department, Chaudhary said adding that the amount received will be utilized under the state plan for flood protection works, Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan, and other important works in the irrigation sector.
OTHER IMPORTANT DECISIONS
It also approved mines and geology department’s proposal for a “One Time Settlement” scheme for brick kilns for the financial year 2024-25, ACS said adding that the scheme has been brought for realisation of dues from brick kilns.
Under the scheme, interest component on the dues will be waived off and the brick kiln owners will have to deposit the outstanding principal amount, Chaudhary said adding that it is likely to fetch Rs 226 crores to the coffers.
It also approved the creation of two additional posts of State Information Commissioner for Bihar Information Commission till further order.
The state cabinet also gave its nod to “Bihar Water Resources Restoration and Silt Management Policy, 2026”. It proposes to facilitate the removal of accumulated silt from water sources, restore the capacity of water structures, and utilize silt from rivers, barrages, reservoirs, etc. for necessary earth filling and construction works in various projects.
