Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday toured multiple industrial units in the Sikandarpur Industrial Area in Bihta, underlining the state’s push towards entrepreneurship, employment generation and inclusive industrial growth.
Nitish Kumar began his inspection at the RK Shirts Unit, a garment manufacturing facility employing over 180 local youths. During the visit, he interacted with women workers engaged in shirt cutting, stitching and packaging, commending their skill and contribution. The CM was briefed on the production process and expressed appreciation for the high-quality output, encouraging the workforce and management alike.
He then visited the DV Ranjan Bag Cluster, a women-led initiative producing handmade, canvas, and corporate gifting bags. Over 80% of the unit’s workforce are women trained through local self-help groups and NGOs. The cluster manufactures more than 500 bags daily, supplying to markets across India. The Chief Minister lauded the enterprise as a model for rural entrepreneurship and women empowerment.
Later, the Chief Minister inspected the newly established Integrated Irradiation Centre, a ₹58.15 crore facility designed to enhance the shelf life of perishable agricultural produce such as fruits, vegetables, spices, and fish. Equipped with a 3,000 KCL Cobalt-60 radiation source, the centre includes 4,000 MT capacity cold and dry storage units, and an export-standard pack house. The irradiation technology is aimed at meeting global phytosanitary requirements, facilitating direct exports without chemical treatment.
“This centre marks a major step forward in positioning Bihar as an agro-export hub,” Nitish Kumar said, noting recent successful exports of litchi and Jardalu mangoes to the UAE and Qatar. The facility has also become a platform for the ‘Gift from Bihar’ initiative, through which over 2,000 boxes of Jardalu mangoes have been dispatched to national and international dignitaries.
The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to fostering industrial growth through the Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana and the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy. “We are creating a favourable climate for investment, focusing on skill development and employment generation, particularly for our youth and women,” he said.
Combined, the three units inspected have generated direct employment for more than 350 people, mostly from nearby communities. Officials believe the RK Shirts Unit alone could eventually employ up to 1,200 workers.
Among those accompanying the CM were MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Deepak Kumar, Industries Department Additional Chief Secretary Mihir Kumar Singh, Patna Divisional Commissioner Dr Chandrashekhar Singh, Patna DM Dr Tyagarajan S.M., and other senior officials. Representatives from the three industrial units also took part in the inspection.
