Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a grand function at the Magadh University campus in Bodh Gaya, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for developmental projects worth over ₹13,000 crore. The projects cover critical sectors such as electricity, railways, roads, housing, healthcare, drinking water supply, cancer care, rural and urban infrastructure, and integrated river conservation.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the projects remotely and also flagged off two new trains. Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joined the Prime Minister on stage, while thousands of people gathered to witness the historic occasion.
PM Praises Nitish Kumar’s Development Work
In his address, Prime Minister Modi appreciated the efforts of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in accelerating Bihar’s growth. “Several projects have been inaugurated and foundation stones laid today for the development of Bihar. The central government is working shoulder-to-shoulder with the state government to ensure Bihar’s progress,” the Prime Minister said.
CM Nitish Kumar Welcomes the PM, Highlights Achievements
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar extended a warm welcome to the Prime Minister, calling it a proud moment for Bihar. He noted that 14 projects related to electricity, roads, and urban development were inaugurated and two trains flagged off, all valued at more than ₹13,000 crore.
Nitish Kumar expressed gratitude for the inauguration of the newly constructed Ganga Bridge at Simaria in Begusarai. He also highlighted developmental works carried out in Bodh Gaya and Gaya, including the construction of a rubber dam on the Falgu River, the Sita Setu, the Mahabodhi Cultural Centre, and a special guest house.
Criticism of Past Governments and Progress Since 2005
The Chief Minister sharply criticized previous governments, saying Bihar was neglected before 2005. “Since the NDA government came to power on November 24, 2005, development has been continuous. Now, there is rule of law and rapid growth in education, health, roads, and electricity,” he said.
Social Welfare Initiatives
Nitish Kumar also listed several welfare schemes, particularly those for the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities. He said the pension amount, earlier ₹400, had been increased to ₹1,100, benefiting over 1.12 crore people. He further noted that while electricity had already reached every household, the government had now decided to provide free electricity to all domestic consumers from July 2025.
Focus on Employment
The Chief Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to jobs and employment. “In 2020, we promised 10 lakh government jobs and 10 lakh employment opportunities. That target has been met, and employment has further increased to 39 lakh. We now aim to provide jobs and employment to 1 crore youth in the next five years,” he said.
Support from the Centre
Acknowledging the Centre’s role, Nitish Kumar said Bihar received special economic assistance in the 2024 and 2025 Union Budgets. This included funding for roads, industry, healthcare, tourism, flood control, and the establishment of a Makhana Board, a new airport, and financial support for the Western Kosi Canal. He also expressed pride that Bihar was chosen to host the Khelo India Youth Games.
Work for Women and Minorities
Nitish Kumar emphasized his government’s initiatives for women and the Muslim community, underlining that inclusive growth remained a priority.
Dignitaries Present
The event was attended by several Union Ministers, including Jitan Ram Manjhi, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Chirag Paswan, Ramnath Thakur, Nityanand Rai, Satish Chandra Dubey, and Rajbhushan Chaudhary. Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, JDU acting president Sanjay Kumar Jha, BJP state president Dr. Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, ministers of the state government, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, and a large gathering of citizens were also present.
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