Patna: Bihar has been left with mixed feelings after the presentation of India’s Union Budget 2026, with political leaders praising its long-term vision while industry representatives questioned the absence of direct benefits for the state. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the budget in parliament with a strong focus on national infrastructure and manufacturing, but Bihar received only limited mention in the speech.
The key announcement for the state was the setting up of a ship repair and maintenance centre in Patna, alongside broader connectivity projects including the Patna–Varanasi freight corridor and the Varanasi–Siliguri high-speed rail corridor. Officials say these initiatives could strengthen logistics networks across eastern India and improve trade and mobility over time.
Speaking to reporters after the budget, Bihar’s deputy chief minister and the home minister Samrat Choudhary described the proposals as laying the “foundation for a developed India”. He pointed to plans for semiconductor infrastructure, manufacturing expansion, high-speed rail and inland waterways as signs of a growth-oriented approach that would eventually benefit states such as Bihar.
But business leaders were less convinced. Members of the Bihar Industries Association (BIA) said the budget lacked targeted measures to address the state’s specific economic challenges. “This is an overall budget for the country, but nothing special has been provided for Bihar,” said BIA president Ramlal Khetan, adding that the state’s per capita income remains well below the national average and requires what he called a “booster dose” of incentives and investment support.
Several entrepreneurs echoed the concern, saying they had hoped for dedicated industrial packages or large-scale projects. Some argued that if the government moves ahead with plans for mega textile parks or manufacturing clusters nationwide, Bihar should secure at least one such facility to generate jobs and attract private capital.
For now, the response remains cautious. While the budget has been welcomed as development-focused and ambitious at the national level, many in Bihar believe the lack of state-specific commitments represents a missed opportunity to accelerate the region’s economic transformation.
