Patna: Development in North Bihar is set to accelerate following the approval of 136 key agendas worth over Rs 20,000 crore under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The state cabinet’s green light to these projects is expected to not only enhance infrastructure but also generate significant employment opportunities for the youth.
The approvals come in the wake of Nitish Kumar’s ongoing Pragati Yatra, during which he has been conducting reviews of development initiatives across Bihar. Based on public feedback, a comprehensive development plan was drawn up, leading to the cabinet’s sanctioning of major schemes during a meeting on Tuesday.
Tourism and Heritage Revival
Bihar’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage has been a priority for Nitish Kumar, who has taken significant steps to promote tourism. The Rajgir Zoo Safari and Valmiki Nagar Tiger Reserve are among the projects already boosting tourism in the state. In a major push, the cabinet has now approved the development of the Baba Hariharnath Corridor, modeled after Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, with the appointment of a consultant for the project.
Additionally, the Maa Kamakhya Mahotsav Mela in Purnia district has been officially declared a state fair under the Bihar State Fair Authority. These initiatives aim to transform Bihar into a major tourism hub by integrating its historical, religious, and spiritual legacy with modern infrastructure.
Strengthening the Road Network
A robust road network has been a key focus of the Bihar government. The state has emerged as a model for infrastructure development, with most villages now connected by roads. A notable example of this commitment is the approval of Rs 132.6 crore for a Road Over Bridge (ROB) near Gobarsahi Chowk in Muzaffarpur, aimed at easing congestion near Ramdayalu Nagar railway station.
The latest cabinet meeting approved the largest number of road projects, underscoring the government’s dedication to improving connectivity. A total of 42 schemes worth Rs 6,577 crore were sanctioned under the Road Construction Department, in addition to projects under other departments:
- Urban Development and Housing: Rs 495.12 crore (5 projects)
- Rural Works: Rs 64.69 crore (2 projects)
- Tourism: Rs 344.01 crore (7 projects)
- Energy: Rs 663.61 crore (4 projects)
- Water Resources: Rs 3,645.67 crore (12 projects)
- Health: Rs 862.34 crore (2 projects)
- Education: Rs 56.8 crore (1 project)
- Cabinet Secretariat: Rs 42.37 crore (1 project)
- Sports: Rs 153.89 crore (3 projects)
- Industries: Rs 236.25 crore (1 project)
The cabinet also approved schemes under the Excise, Prohibition, and Revenue Departments, further broadening the scope of Bihar’s infrastructure expansion.
Job Creation and Government Recruitment
Employment generation remains a top priority for Nitish Kumar’s administration. Ahead of the cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister hinted at large-scale government recruitment to fill vacancies across various departments. On Tuesday, he distributed appointment letters to 6,837 newly recruited personnel, including 6,341 junior engineers and 496 instructors.
With the state government’s target of creating 12 lakh government jobs, Bihar has already employed over 9.13 lakh people. The new recruitments are expected to enhance efficiency in government operations and provide much-needed employment opportunities for the state’s youth.
