Why in Focus?
On 22 August 2025, the PM inaugurated the 8.15 km Aunta–Simaria bridge over the Ganga in Bihar, reflecting a broader push towards making the state a connectivity and economic hub.
Key Highlights:
Bridge Projects:
• Aunta–Simaria Bridge: reduces travel by 100 km, budget ₹1,870 crore; .
• Enhances the road to Simaria Dham (birthplace of poet Dinkar).
Road Infrastructure:
• ₹4 lakh crore invested in roads.
• 850+ km of 4-lane National Highways built in 5 years.
• NH-319B, NH-22, NH-119A, and NH-319 upgraded.
Railway Transformation:
• Railway budget increased by 900% (₹1,132 cr to ₹10,066 cr).
• 361 km of roads added in 2023–2024 alone.
• Key projects: Kosi Bridge, Munger Bridge, Patna Bridge, etc.
Air Connectivity:
• New terminal at Patna Airport (10 million capacity).
• Darbhanga Airport; Bihta Airport underway (₹1,400 cr).
Power Sector Boost:
• Buxar Thermal Plant (₹6,880 cr) + Nabinagar STPP-II (₹29,930 cr).
• Solar parks, PM-KUSUM, & renewable feeders driving energy security.
Welfare & Economic Growth:
GSDP tripled (₹8.54 lakh crore in 2023–24).
60 lakh houses under PM Awas Yojana in Bihar.
Major push for PM-KUSUM Yojana, Makhana Board, and food processing institutes.
Focus on employment, rural development, agriculture & connectivity.
Budget 2025–26 Vision for Bihar:
Purvodaya Plan: Eastern states as growth engines.
Gaya Industrial Node under the Amritsar–Kolkata corridor.
Rajgir, Mahabodhi, Nalanda & Vishnupad corridors for religious tourism.
IIT Patna expansion to accommodate rising student numbers.
Western Koshi Canal Project support for 50,000+ hectares.
