Patna: Bihar’s push to accelerate industrialisation gathered pace on Thursday as Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit chaired an “Industry Dialogue” aimed at clearing obstacles faced by investors and speeding up approvals.
The three-hour meeting, held at the Directorate of Civil Aviation near Patna airport, brought together 14 industry representatives who presented proposals ranging from artificial intelligence and oxygen plants to sugar mills and Buddhist pilgrimage. Senior officials from multiple departments were present, including representatives from the industries, energy and sugarcane departments, as well as State Bank of India.
Addressing officials, the chief secretary said the state government was committed to promoting industry and directed departments to prioritise resolving pending issues related to payments, land and clearances. He stressed that removing procedural delays was essential to building investor confidence.
Tourism and cultural corridors
Among the proposals discussed was the “Footsteps of Buddha Corridor”, put forward by Deepak Anand. The plan seeks to connect villages associated with the life and travels of the Buddha, including Rajgir and Bodhgaya, through improved road infrastructure and tourism development.
Describing the proposal as significant for both heritage and economic reasons, the Chief Secretary directed officials to gather detailed information and submit a report for further consideration.
Makhana and agri-based ventures
Shravan Kumar Roy, chief executive of MBA Makhana Wala, sought a permanent outlet in Patna and a stall along the Ganga Path to promote makhana-based food products such as dosa and cookies. Calling makhana Bihar’s “superfood”, the chief secretary instructed the Patna district magistrate to extend all possible assistance to the entrepreneur.
Arun Kumar Singh, CEO of Armon International, proposed an Integrated Agri-Energy Enterprise Programme aimed at combining agriculture and renewable energy initiatives. Amrit said he would personally review the plan.
Amit Patjoshi, CEO of Palladium India, suggested a “Co-Disaster Management Programme” to help make Bihar more resilient to natural disasters. He was advised to coordinate with the disaster management department for further discussions.
Investor outreach
Officials said the choice of venue near Patna airport was intended to make it easier for visiting and foreign investors to participate. The meeting underscored the government’s effort to present Bihar as open for business, with senior bureaucrats directly engaging with industry leaders.
With sectors as varied as AI, agri-processing and infrastructure under discussion, the dialogue signalled the state’s attempt to position itself as an emerging industrial destination while addressing long-standing procedural hurdles.
