Patna: In a move aimed at strengthening law and order, the government of Bihar has approved a proposal to modernise police forces with new weapons and ammunition.
The state’s home department has cleared a plan submitted by Bihar Police headquarters to procure arms and training equipment at an estimated cost of Rs 43.42 crore.
A key component of the procurement is the induction of 9mm semi-automatic pistols, which will be supplied by the Rifle Factory Ishapore. Officials said 4,000 pistols will be purchased in two phases — 2,500 in the first phase and 1,500 in the second.
The pistols alone are expected to cost around Rs 42.28 crore, forming the bulk of the expenditure under the modernisation initiative.
In addition, Bihar Police will procure 1.2 lakh blank cartridges for training purposes. These will be sourced from ordnance factories in Pune and Jalgaon, with around Rs 1 crore allocated for this component.
Officials said the training ammunition will be used to improve firing skills and preparedness among personnel without the risks associated with live rounds.
The procurement will be carried out directly from government-authorised manufacturing units, ensuring quality and reliability of the equipment.
With approval now granted, authorities said the procurement process is expected to accelerate in the coming weeks, marking a significant step in upgrading the capabilities of the state police force.
