New Delhi: In her budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled a substantial financial package for Bihar, allocating Rs 26,000 crore for road and expressway construction. This significant investment aims to enhance infrastructure and industrial development in the state, despite not granting the special status requested by Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Infrastructure Development:
Road Projects: A dedicated Rs 26,000 crore for constructing roads and expressways, including the Patna-Purnea Expressway, Buxar-Bhagalpur Highway, and the Bodhgaya-Rajgir-Vaishali-Darbhanga route.
Ganga River Bridge: A new two-lane bridge over the Ganga River in Buxar has been announced to improve connectivity.
Industrial Corridor: Support for the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor, benefiting industrial growth in Gaya.
Additional Development Initiatives:
New Airports: Several new airports to be established in Bihar to boost regional connectivity.
Medical College: A new medical college to be set up, enhancing healthcare infrastructure.
Sports Institutes: Introduction of new sports institutes to promote athletic development in the state.
External Assistance: Expedited requests for external assistance from multilateral banks to support Bihar’s development projects.
While the central government has not granted Bihar special status, the significant financial package appears to be a strategic move with the upcoming Bihar assembly elections in mind. The announcements are expected to bolster support for the ruling NDA coalition in the state, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
The Rs 26,000 crore allocation for road projects and additional development initiatives is poised to accelerate infrastructure growth and economic development in Bihar. The focus on improving road connectivity and industrial infrastructure aligns with the broader objective of fostering growth in the eastern region of India.
Political analysts suggest that the financial boost for Bihar is a calculated move to strengthen the NDA’s position in the state ahead of the assembly elections, scheduled for early next year. The simultaneous elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Haryana add further significance to these announcements, as the government aims to secure a favorable outcome across multiple states.
Comments are closed.