Patna: Bihar’s industries minister Nitish Mishra has unveiled an ambitious plan to create ten million jobs over the next five years, offering investors land parcels ranging from 10 to 25 acres at the token price of one rupee if they commit to generating at least 1,000 jobs in the state.
Speaking at an event organised by the Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI) titled Building Bihar’s Future through Industry and Innovation, Mishra said the government had added nearly 15,000 acres to its land bank over the past year to tackle one of the state’s biggest industrial bottlenecks.
The minister also highlighted the growing start-up ecosystem in Bihar, noting that around 1,600 start-ups are currently operating, including 300 led by women entrepreneurs. Financial incentives, he added, are being designed to support both manufacturing and service industries while keeping sustainability and environmental concerns in focus. “Bihar is on its way to becoming a major growth engine in eastern India in line with the central government’s vision,” he said.
Earlier in the programme, ADRI member-secretary Dr Ashmita Gupta presented the findings of a report on Industrial Growth and Skills Development Opportunities in Bihar. The report noted that industries remain concentrated in Patna, Muzaffarpur and Begusarai, and urged the government to diversify into emerging industrial corridors in districts such as Madhubani, Jehanabad and Arwal. It also recommended focusing on employment, sustainability, and improved data management to guide policy.
The event was attended by academics including Professors Neha Hui and Uma Kambhampati of the University of Reading, along with ADRI researchers Dr Mousumi Gupta, Dr Sunita Lal and Dr Sanchita Mahapatra. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Sandeep Kumar, director of JSS-ADRI.
