Bhagalpur/Patna: State Urban Development and Housing, and Information Technology minister Nitish Mishra on Saturday outlined a broad infrastructure and welfare roadmap for the state, highlighting a series of transport and connectivity projects being undertaken by the Centre and the state government.
Speaking at a press conference at Bhagalpur Circuit House, Mishra said six expressway corridors, multiple Ganga bridges and railway modernisation projects were expected to reshape connectivity across Bihar.
The minister also presented figures on central assistance, agriculture support and healthcare expansion, describing them as part of a wider development agenda.
Six expressway corridors planned
Mishra said Bihar had received approval for six major expressway and corridor projects, which he said would improve intra-state and interstate connectivity.
The proposed routes include:
- Buxar-Bhagalpur Expressway
- Patna-Purnea Expressway
- Amas-Darbhanga Corridor
- Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway
- Raxaul-Haldia Corridor
- Varanasi-Gaya-Kolkata Corridor
He said the projects would strengthen freight movement and reduce travel time across key regions.
Ganga bridges to link north and south Bihar
The minister said seven new bridges over the Ganga river had been completed, while construction on seven more was under way.
According to him, the bridges are intended to improve connectivity between north and south Bihar and ease movement of goods and passengers.
Railway stations and airports under expansion
On rail infrastructure, Mishra said 198 railway stations in Bihar were being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
He said the state had received a rail infrastructure allocation of Rs One lakh crore for ongoing and planned works.
The minister also referred to the operation of Vande Bharat trains and ongoing airport projects, including a new terminal in Patna and greenfield airports in Darbhanga, Gaya and Purnea. Work on a new airport in Bihta is also in progress, he said.
Central assistance and state finances
Mishra said Bihar received RS.9.23 lakh crore in central assistance between 2014 and 2024, which he said was significantly higher than allocations during the previous UPA government.
He added that Bihar’s current budget stands at Rs. 3.47 lakh crore, with substantial central support.
Of the Rs. 1.25 lakh crore special package announced in 2015, Rs. 54,700 crore has been spent on roads and bridge construction, according to the minister.
Agriculture, health and welfare measures
The minister said more than 76 lakh farmers in Bihar were receiving benefits under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.
He added that over nine lakh farmers had received more than Rs. 8,000 crore in loans through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) programme.
Mishra also cited the GI tag for makhana and the formation of the National Makhana Board as measures aimed at supporting farmers.
In healthcare, he said 21 new medical colleges were under construction and the second AIIMS in Bihar was being developed in Darbhanga.
Under Ayushman Bharat, around five crore people in the state are eligible for free treatment, while eight crore beneficiaries are receiving free foodgrain under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, he said.
BJP leaders present at briefing
Several BJP leaders attended the press conference, including state general secretary Preeti Shekhar, district president Santosh Kumar and other party office-bearers.
Mishra said the combined efforts of the Centre and the state government were aimed at accelerating Bihar’s long-term development.
