Gaya/Patna : Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary visited Gaya on Friday, September 25, to offer prayers at the Vishnupad Temple and review arrangements for the ongoing Pitru Paksha Mela.
The Chief Minister prayed for the state’s peace, prosperity and well-being before inspecting Dev Ghat to assess facilities available for pilgrims.
Emphasising the importance of hospitality, Chaudhary said the government’s priority was to ensure that devotees arriving from across India and abroad receive proper facilities and return with a positive experience of Gaya.
He urged officials to maintain high standards of accommodation, drinking water, sanitation, security and other essential services.
CM Calls for ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ Approach
Addressing officials and the public, the Chief Minister said Bihar’s tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava requires visitors to be welcomed with respect, warmth and dignity. He appealed to residents of Gaya and other parts of Bihar to work together to ensure that pilgrims experience the state’s hospitality, cultural heritage and traditions.
Chaudhary also directed the Tourism Department and other concerned departments to remain fully prepared throughout the mela period.
The government is making arrangements for devotees at both Gaya and Punpun during Pitru Paksha, when large numbers of people arrive to perform Pind Daan and Tarpan rituals for their ancestors.
Tent City Inaugurated for Pilgrims
The Chief Minister inaugurated a tent city established for devotees visiting Gaya during the religious fair. Speaking after the inauguration, he described Pitru Paksha as an important occasion in Sanatan tradition, reflecting reverence, respect and gratitude towards ancestors.
He said the state government was working to expand facilities in Gaya in response to the increasing number of pilgrims. Technology and mobile applications are also being used to improve services, including providing information in the languages of visitors arriving from different states.
Rs 3,500 Crore Vishnupad Corridor Development Plan
The Chief Minister announced that the Centre and Bihar government would jointly spend a total of Rs 3,500 crore on the development of the Vishnupad Corridor and related infrastructure. Of this amount, Rs 2,500 crore is proposed specifically for the corridor’s development.
Chaudhary described the initiative as one of the largest temple development projects undertaken in Bihar. The proposed investment is aimed at improving the facilities and infrastructure surrounding the Vishnupad Temple, a major religious destination for devotees performing ancestral rituals in Gaya.
The project is expected to strengthen Gaya’s position as an important centre of religious tourism.
Gaya to Be Connected With Gulf Countries and International Cities
The Chief Minister said efforts were underway to strengthen Gaya’s air connectivity with major international destinations. The government is working towards connecting Gaya with Gulf countries, Thailand, Indonesia and other important destinations.
He said improved international connectivity would make travel easier for devotees from abroad and support tourism and economic activity in the region.
Chaudhary also highlighted the importance of Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga and Purnia airports in strengthening Bihar’s overall aviation network.
Rs 20,000 Crore Industrial Investment Expected From October
The Chief Minister also spoke about the state’s industrial development plans. He said an Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) was being initiated in Bodh Gaya to promote industrial activity.
According to the Chief Minister, industrial investments worth approximately Rs 20,000 crore are expected to begin being implemented on the ground from October 2026. The investments are expected to create new opportunities for employment and economic activity in Bihar.
Rs 1,000 Crore Plan to Bring Son River Water to Falgu
Chaudhary also highlighted a proposed project to bring water from the Son River to the Falgu River. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 1,000 crore. He said arrangements concerning the sharing of Son River water and agreements related to water resources would help improve irrigation and water availability in Gaya and neighbouring areas.
The initiative is intended to address water requirements and support agricultural activities in the region.
Education and Women’s Economic Empowerment
The Chief Minister outlined several initiatives aimed at improving education and women’s economic participation. He said the state government was working to improve school infrastructure and educational quality through model schools, online classes and the Vidyarthi Saathi App. These initiatives are intended to provide students with access to modern and quality education.
On women’s economic empowerment, Chaudhary highlighted the role of Jeevika in supporting women across the state. He said Bihar has set a target of creating one crore Lakhpati Didis, adding that around 43 lakh women had achieved the status so far.
Special Postal Cover and Book Released
During the programme, the Chief Minister released a special postal cover issued by the Department of Posts on the occasion of Pitru Paksha. He also released the book Pachan Teerth Gayaji, written by members of the Panda community. In addition, Chaudhary launched the Gayaji Dham angavastram, produced by weavers from Patwa Toli in Manpur. The initiatives highlighted Gaya’s religious heritage and the contribution of local artisans and traditional industries.
Senior Officials and Public Representatives Attend
Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Gaya MP Jitan Ram Manjhi and Health Minister Nishant also addressed the programme. Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav attended the event, along with Agriculture Minister and Gaya district in-charge Vijay Kumar Sinha, Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal and Tourism Minister Kedar Prasad Gupta.
Other attendees included Science, Technology and Technical Education Minister Sheila Kumari, local legislators, members of the Legislative Council, Gaya Mayor Birendra Kumar and Zila Parishad Chairperson Naina Kumari.
Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, Director General of Police Preety Verma, senior administrative and police officials, devotees and members of the public were also present.
