Patna: Deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary says new temple project will anchor a planned urban centre, as he highlights jobs, flood control and infrastructure goals at Vaidehi Samman ceremony
A grand temple dedicated to Goddess Sita will be built at Punauradham, believed to be her birthplace, with a modern, planned city named Sitapuri to be developed around it, Bihar’s deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary has said.
Speaking on Sunday at the Vaidehi Samman ceremony at Vidyapati Bhavan in Patna, Choudhary said the proposed temple and city project would give a new identity to the region and reflect the state government’s focus on cultural heritage alongside development. The event was organised by Anupam Muhim Anupam Deg.
Addressing the gathering, the deputy chief minister said the government’s objective was to create dignified employment opportunities within Bihar for people who migrate to other states for work. He said that while it was a matter of pride that many from Bihar had succeeded elsewhere, those compelled to leave due to lack of opportunities would be provided jobs within the state over the next five years.
Choudhary also pointed to broader changes in India’s global standing, saying the country was emerging as a strong presence on the world stage, with growing international interest. He said international flight services were expected to begin in Bihar within the next one to two years, adding that work on airport infrastructure and runway expansion was progressing rapidly.
On flood management, he said districts such as Supaul, Saharsa, Madhepura and Khagaria had long been vulnerable to flooding. He claimed that while earlier the discharge of one lakh cusecs of water could trigger severe floods, in 2024 the release of nearly 10 lakh cusecs resulted in controlled flooding in only 106 villages.
According to the deputy chief minister, water from the Kosi river was now being harnessed for irrigation, development and employment generation, an effort he attributed to cooperation between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Choudhary reiterated that public safety, particularly that of women, was the government’s top priority, warning that criminal networks and organised extortion would not be tolerated. He said strict action had been ordered against illegal encroachments on rural roads and against so-called “goon banks” operating under the guise of informal lending.
At the ceremony, the state BJP president, Sanjay Sarawagi, said cultural programmes played a vital role in nurturing artistic talent and providing platforms for local artists to grow. He also felicitated performers who were recognised for their contributions at the event.
