Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday announced a development roadmap focused on industrial expansion, healthcare infrastructure, agriculture and investment during a state-level ‘Vikas Utsav’ held to mark the completion of 100 days of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.
The event was organised at the BIT Mesra, Patna campus, where the chief minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 2,476 development projects worth Rs 11,464 crore.
Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav, along with several ministers and senior government officials, attended the programme.
Rs 215 Crore Super-Specialty Hospital Inaugurated
Before the main event, Choudhary inaugurated a 400-bed orthopedic and neuro super-specialty hospital at Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital in Rajvanshi Nagar, Patna.
The hospital, built at a cost of Rs 215 crore, includes advanced operation theatres, ICUs, a radiology department, sports injury centre, physiotherapy facilities, trauma care and 24×7 emergency services.
The chief minister said the facility would strengthen healthcare services in Bihar and reduce the need for patients to travel outside the state for specialised treatment.
Focus On Work Culture And Governance
Addressing officials and attendees at BIT Mesra, Choudhary said Bihar needed to improve its work culture to compete with leading states.
He said government departments would need to increase working hours and efficiency to match the pace of development across the country.
“Until now, we have been working 10 to 12 hours, but if we want to align Bihar with the nation’s pace of development, we must work 12 to 15 hours,” he said.
Stricter Hospital Referral Rules From August 15
The chief minister said Bihar had improved the availability of free medicines in government hospitals and currently has 101 sub-divisional hospitals and 38 district hospitals.
He announced that from August 15, district and sub-divisional hospitals would not be allowed to refer patients suffering from common ailments without valid reasons.
Officials responsible for unnecessary referrals would face action, he said.
Choudhary also directed officials to expand nursing and paramedical education facilities and explore the possibility of establishing Ayurvedic medical institutions through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
One Major Industry Planned In Every District
The chief minister said the government’s target was to establish at least one major industry in every district of Bihar.
He announced that efforts would be made to attract investments worth Rs 5 lakh crore by November 20, marking one year of the NDA government’s tenure.
Choudhary said Bihar’s budget currently stands at around Rs 3.47 lakh crore and increasing revenue generation would be essential for achieving economic self-reliance.
He added that land would be made available for industrial projects through the PPP model to speed up implementation.
PPP Model For Roads, 200-Km Marine Drive Expansion
Choudhary said the government would increase the use of the PPP model for road construction to accelerate infrastructure development.
He announced plans to extend Patna’s Marine Drive project to 200 kilometres, which he said could attract investments of around Rs 1 lakh crore.
The chief minister clarified that toll charges would apply only to commercial vehicles and users involved in commercial activities.
25 New Sugar Mills Planned For Farmers
Highlighting the importance of the sugar industry, Choudhary said Bihar once had 20 operational sugar mills.
He said the government had set a target of establishing 25 sugar mills over the next five years following a suggestion from Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.
Work on the Sakri, Raiyam and Sasamusa sugar mills is expected to begin this year, he said.
Industrial Hubs Planned In Vaishali And Gaya
The chief minister announced plans to develop an industrial electronics hub at Rajapakar in Vaishali.
The project could attract investments between Rs 20,000 crore and Rs 30,000 crore and generate employment opportunities for around one lakh youths, he said.
He also said the government was working on a proposal for a dedicated steel plant under the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) in Gaya.
River-Based Industrial Corridors Proposed
Choudhary said the government had started work on linking the Bagmati and Burhi Gandak rivers.
He added that the Narayani and Kosi rivers would also be developed as future growth corridors.
Industrial corridors along riverbanks and road networks are planned as part of the development strategy. The chief minister directed officials to prepare proposals for modern river-facing townships along the Ganga, Gandak and Kosi rivers.
Government Releases 100-Day Achievement Booklet
During the event, the government released a booklet highlighting its first 100 days of work under the theme ‘Service, Resolve and Dedication’.
Digital and print publicity vans were also flagged off to spread information about government schemes and initiatives among citizens.
The state government said future priorities would include expanding healthcare services, improving public transport, attracting industrial investment and creating employment opportunities.
