Araria: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 449 developmental schemes worth Rs. 305 crore during the third phase of the Pragati Yatra in Araria district. The event was held at Panchayat Hansa in Raniganj block, where the Chief Minister inaugurated 404 schemes costing Rs. 159.15 crore and laid the foundation stone for 45 schemes valued at Rs. 145.50 crore through remote access.
During his visit, Nitish Kumar inspected the Balua pond, renovated under the Amrit Sarovar Yojana in Hansa Panchayat. He praised the construction of the staircase ghat and the beautification efforts around the pond, stating it was a well-executed project that would attract locals and visitors alike.
The Chief Minister visited stalls set up by various departments and interacted with Jeevika didis, praising their work with self-help groups. He highlighted the state’s efforts to expand self-help groups since 2006, resulting in 28,000 groups in urban areas, involving over 3 lakh Jeevika didis. Symbolic checks worth Rs. 104.51 crore were distributed to Jeevika groups and beneficiaries under various welfare schemes.
Nitish Kumar also inaugurated a playground at Plus 2 Government Ramanugrah High School in Hansa Panchayat, emphasizing its importance in promoting sports among youth. He inspected the playground, robotic lab, and nature classroom, instructing officials to improve the land leveling and add paver blocks for better student access.
The Chief Minister remotely inaugurated the Health and Wellness Center in Hansa Panchayat and unveiled stone plaques for multiple developmental schemes. During his visit to Chhatiyauna Panchayat, he laid the foundation stone for Jeevika Bhawan and a 100-bed minority children’s hostel under the Abida and Shams Memorial Charitable Trust in Belwan, Araria block.
At stalls set up by the Minority Welfare Department and Social Welfare Department, the Chief Minister distributed symbolic checks under the Chief Minister Muslim Women Abandoned/Divorced Scheme, Minority Student Scheme, Minority Entrepreneur Scheme, and Intercaste Marriage Incentive Grant Scheme. He also handed over keys for battery-operated tricycles under the Chief Minister Disabled Empowerment Scheme.
The Chief Minister inspected development projects, including the widening of the Araria-Kurtakata-Kuari-Sikti road, covering a total length of 34.5 km at an estimated cost of Rs. 161 crore. He also reviewed the proposed Saifganj-Mahachhawa Bhargama-Sukaila turn road and the site for a new medical college in Araria.
Several dignitaries were present, including Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Minority Welfare Minister Mohammad Jama Khan, MP Pradeep Kumar Singh, and several MLAs. Senior officials, including Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister S. Siddharth, District Magistrate of Araria Anil Kumar, and Superintendent of Police Anjani Kumar, were also in attendance.
The Pragati Yatra marks the Chief Minister’s continued commitment to development and welfare, addressing infrastructure, education, and livelihood in Bihar’s districts.
