by Suresh Pd Nikhar
Gaya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a slew of development and infrastructure projects worth ₹6,880 crore in Bihar’s historic Gaya district, marking a big push for the state’s growth. Addressing a massive gathering at Magadh University, the PM was greeted with thunderous cheers as top state and central leaders, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha, and several Union ministers, joined the event.
The highlights included the inauguration of the 660 MW Buxar thermal power plant, expected to boost Bihar’s energy security and meet rising electricity demand, and the launch of Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre in Muzaffarpur, equipped with advanced cancer treatment facilities.
PM Modi also flagged off two new trains — Amrit Bharat Express connecting Gaya with Delhi, and the Buddhist Circuit train linking Vaishali with Koderma to give a major push to tourism and pilgrimage routes.
Continuing his development thrust, the PM inaugurated a ₹520 crore sewerage treatment plant at Munger under Namami Gange, laid foundation stones for multiple urban infrastructure projects worth ₹1,260 crore, and launched water supply schemes under AMRUT 2.0 in Aurangabad, Bodhgaya and Jehanabad.
A symbolic ‘griha pravesh’ for over 16,000 beneficiaries under PMAY-Gramin and Urban was also conducted, while keys were handed over to a few beneficiaries on stage.
Road connectivity also got a big boost with the opening of the four-lane Bakhtiyarpur–Mokama section of NH-31 (₹1,900 crore) and the 1.86-km Aunta-Simaria Bridge on River Ganga, directly linking Mokama (Patna) with Begusarai.
Striking a political note, PM Modi accused the RJD-Congress alliance of plunging Bihar into an era of loot, massacres, and Maoist dominance in the past, contrasting it with the “double-engine government’s” focus on growth and welfare. “Bihar has moved from darkness to development. Roads, power, education, and healthcare are reaching every household. The Centre will continue to ensure faster progress,” he said.
The day’s announcements signal a comprehensive development package for Bihar — from power and healthcare to connectivity and urban transformation — with the Centre reiterating its commitment to making the state a key driver of India’s growth story.
