Bihar Government in ‘Mission Mode’ to Launch Key Projects: Chief Secretary.

The Bihar government is working in “mission mode” to ensure the early commencement of projects valued at over Rs. 10,000 crore, announced during Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's ongoing 'Pragati Yatra', according to Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena.

In an interview with PTI, Meena confirmed that approvals have been granted for more than 100 projects, totaling over Rs 11,000 crore. “As of January 29, a total of 168 projects have been announced, with 103 projects receiving the necessary clearances. Our goal is to finalize sanctions for all projects by February, complete the tendering process by April, and begin work by June,” Meena said.

The chief secretary emphasized that the state is focused on getting projects started well before the model code of conduct comes into effect for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, scheduled for the second half of this year.

The 'Pragati Yatra', which began a month ago, has been part of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s tour of all districts to assess ongoing development efforts.

“These projects span 18 departments and are designed to take Bihar’s infrastructure to the next level,” Meena added. Key sectors targeted include tourism, urban amenities, sporting infrastructure, and irrigation.

Meena highlighted that the tourism sector is a major focus, with plans to promote eco-tourism, an area with significant untapped potential in Bihar. Urban development efforts will address traffic congestion, including new by-passes and road overbridges. Additionally, sports infrastructure will see substantial upgrades with new stadiums and playgrounds planned across 6,000 panchayats.

The irrigation network will also be enhanced, with canal extensions and embankment reinforcements included in the projects.

Employment generation is another priority, with Meena noting that 24 lakh jobs have been created over the past decade, including nine lakh government jobs. An additional three lakh government jobs are expected to be created this year.

ET