Darbhanga: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to perform the Bhoomi Pujan and lay the foundation stone for the Darbhanga AIIMS today, marking a significant milestone for healthcare infrastructure in Bihar. The state’s second AIIMS, with a capacity of 750 beds, will be built on 187 acres of land at Shobhan bypass. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will also be present at the event.
Approved in 2019-20, Darbhanga AIIMS is part of the government’s push to improve healthcare facilities in the state. The new medical institute will cater to the healthcare needs of the Mithila region and is expected to enhance access to quality medical care for residents.
In addition to the AIIMS foundation, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the newly constructed Darbhanga railway bypass line, a Rs 389 crore project, as well as three new railway stations: Kakarghati, Darbhanga Bypass Halt, and Sheeso. This bypass line is expected to decongest Darbhanga railway station and streamline train movement, particularly benefiting passengers traveling to Gorakhpur, Delhi, and Mumbai. The new bypass will save up to five hours of travel time for trains heading towards Delhi and Mumbai.
The Darbhanga bypass railway line, which has been under construction for the last four years, will now connect Kakarghati, Darbhanga Bypass, and Sheeso railway stations. Previously, passenger trains were not operational on the Darbhanga Bypass Halt; only goods trains utilized this route. The inauguration of this line is expected to significantly reduce congestion at Darbhanga Junction, benefiting passengers and improving train schedules.
Local Member of Parliament, Gopal Ji Thakur, highlighted that this development will particularly aid passengers traveling towards Delhi and Mumbai, cutting travel times and improving overall connectivity for the Mithila region.
Apart from the railway projects, PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone for two major road projects: the Araria-Bahadurganj and Bahadurganj-Galgalia roads. These projects will be constructed in two phases, with the 49-km long road between Kishanganj’s Galgalia and Bahadurganj costing Rs 766 crore. The second phase will see the construction of a 45-km road between Bahadurganj and Araria at a cost of Rs 780.32 crore.
To facilitate PM Modi’s visit, changes have been made to the city’s traffic and parking arrangements. From 12 pm on November 12 until 3 pm on November 13, the entry of heavy and commercial vehicles via Shobhan Mor will be restricted. Additionally, two-wheelers and four-wheelers will enter the city via Delhi Mor between 6 am and 3 pm on November 13. Vehicles heading to the event site will be directed via the Shobhan bypass.
