Nawada: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 202 development projects worth Rs 211.96 crore in Nawada district as part of his Pragati Yatra. The event, held at an agricultural farm in Karigaon village, saw the launch of 142 schemes worth Rs 138.06 crore, while foundation stones were laid for 60 projects amounting to Rs 73.89 crore.
Infrastructure and Development Initiatives
CM Nitish inspected key development projects, including the proposed high-level RCC bridge on the Sakri River in Govindpur block and a new degree college in Karigaon. Officials briefed him on project plans and displayed line drawings related to construction work.
The chief minister also visited stalls set up by various government departments, including industries, health, rural development, agriculture, and social welfare. Beneficiaries of schemes such as the Chief Minister Udyami Yojana, Startup Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, and Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribe (Atrocities) Prevention Act received symbolic benefits, including cheques and tricycles for disabled individuals.
Support for Women’s Self-Help Groups
CM Nitish interacted with members of Jeevika, Bihar’s self-help group initiative, and distributed a symbolic cheque of Rs 170 crore to over 13,000 groups. He also allocated Rs 15.25 crore to 6,340 groups and Rs 18.75 lakh under the protected agriculture scheme.
Reflecting on the success of Jeevika, CM Nitish noted that women’s participation in self-help groups had significantly improved their economic standing and social confidence. “When we started in 2005, self-help groups were almost nonexistent in Bihar. Today, they are thriving, helping women become self-reliant,” he said.
Launch of Nutan Nawada
CM Nitish inaugurated the Nutan Nawada project, which aims to consolidate various institutions at a single location. He also inaugurated a sports ground in Makhar panchayat, interacting with young athletes and providing them with footballs and basketballs to mark the occasion.
Further inaugurations included a newly constructed panchayat government building, Chhath Ghat, a waste management unit, and a library. CM Nitish emphasized that these facilities would streamline local governance and enhance community life.
Nawada Bypass and RCC Bridge Projects
During his visit, CM Nitish reviewed plans for a bypass at 97 km of NH-20 (Bakhtiyarpur-Rajauli four-lane) and instructed officials to expedite construction. Plans include an ROB near Sadipur Railway Halt and a high-level RCC bridge on the Sakri River, estimated at Rs 54.83 crore.
Additionally, he laid the foundation stone for a district guest house, where an eight-room extension will be built at a cost of Rs 4.69 crore.
Dignitaries in Attendance
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Environment Minister Prem Kumar, and several MPs, MLAs, and senior government officials were present at the event.
