Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched several development works, inaugurating projects valued almost around ₹36,000 crore in Purnea district of Bihar. This displays the narrative of government's dedication towards the all-around development of the state, in the wake of upcoming state assembly elections. Among the key highlights was the inauguration of the newly built terminal building of Purnea airport, which boosts the place on country's aviation map.
Purnea airport's new terminal was built in record time and marked its first direct flight service to Kolkata. The initiative is likely to make the journey easier and more accessible for north-eastern Bihar people, linking them with major Indian cities. The upgraded terminal increases passenger handling capacity and facilitates direct connectivity for enterprises, particularly in trade and logistics. Authorities said this connectivity will take the region closer to key business centres, hence removing long-standing connectivity hiccups.
One of the pillars of the day's announcements was the foundation laying of a huge 2,400 MW Pirpainti thermal power project in Bhagalpur, the largest private sector investment in Bihar till date. This plant seeks to improve Bihar's energy security both for homes and industry. PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of the Kosi-Mechi Intra-State River Link Project costing more than ₹2,680 crore. The project comprises of overall canal upgradation, de-silting, and capacity augmentation, having a direct impact on agricultural resilience, irrigation, and flood control in a number of northeastern districts.
Rail connectivity also gets a huge improvement. The Prime Minister commissioned new railway lines, such as the Araria-Galgalia line at the cost of ₹4,410 crore, and flagged off the Vande Bharat Express and new Amrit Bharat Express trains from Jogbani and Danapur, enabling quicker movement and regional integration. The new Bikramshila-Katareah line at the cost of ₹2,170 crore will enhance connectivity across the Ganga, while these improvements as a whole are meant to facilitate mobility for individuals and goods across Bihar.
Acknowledging Bihar as India's top Makhana producer, PM Modi introduced the National Makhana Board to assist farmers by leveraging technological innovation, post-harvesting management, and market expansion. Moreover, tens of thousands of households were provided with new homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, with the Prime Minister distributing symbolic keys to the recipients.
This big push to infrastructure is regarded as a game-changing move for the region, with the potential for inclusive growth, better livelihoods, and fresh energy in Bihar's development trajectory. This also potentially invites criticism from opposition in the context of appeasement politics.
