Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday laid the foundation and inaugurated a series of development projects worth approximately Rs 12,100 crore in Darbhanga, Bihar, covering health, rail, road, and natural gas sectors.
Major Highlights of the New Initiatives
- AIIMS Darbhanga and Boost to Health Infrastructure
One of the major projects is AIIMS Darbhanga, valued at over Rs 1,260 crore, set to provide comprehensive healthcare services to Bihar and nearby regions. The facility will include a super-specialty hospital, a nursing college, a medical college, and night shelter facilities. This expansion aligns with the government’s vision to improve access to quality healthcare for all citizens and reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
To further strengthen healthcare access, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated 18 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras across railway stations. These centers offer affordable medicines, promoting generic drugs as a cost-effective healthcare solution.
दरभंगा और बिहार सहित देशभर के किसानों, मखाना उत्पादकों और मछली पालकों का हित हमारी सरकार की प्राथमिकता है। इसमें हम कोई कोर-कसर नहीं छोड़ने वाले हैं। pic.twitter.com/FJsa8ec9Nm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2024
- Infrastructure Development in Rail and Road Sectors
In a move aimed at bolstering connectivity, PM Modi inaugurated multiple National Highway projects worth Rs 5,070 crore. Notable among them is the four-lane Galgalia-Araria section of NH-327E, which provides an alternate route from Bihar to West Bengal. He also laid the foundation for several two-lane roads and rail over bridges to ease congestion and improve access across the state.
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Additionally, railway projects worth Rs 1,740 crore, including the Darbhanga Bypass Railway Line, were inaugurated to improve connectivity and reduce railway traffic in the region. New MEMU train services in the Jhanjharpur-Laukaha Bazar section were also launched, facilitating greater access to jobs, education, and healthcare for residents of nearby towns.
हम बिहार के साथ ही पूरे देश में स्वास्थ्य को लेकर इस होलिस्टिक अप्रोच से आगे बढ़ रहे हैं… pic.twitter.com/7r3m2lu2fY
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2024
- Expanding Access to Clean Energy
In line with clean energy goals, the Prime Minister laid the foundation for a City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in five major districts in Bihar, including Darbhanga. This network, developed by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, will provide piped natural gas (PNG) to households and promote cleaner energy sources in commercial sectors. Additionally, a new Bitumen manufacturing unit at the Barauni Refinery was announced, aimed at supporting infrastructure development while reducing reliance on imported bitumen.
Empowering Bihar’s Farmers and Fisheries Sector
PM Modi highlighted initiatives to support small farmers and local industries. Under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, more than Rs 25,000 crore has been distributed to Bihar’s farmers, helping enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. Additionally, Bihar’s famed Makhana has been promoted through the “One District, One Product” initiative, securing a GI tag and establishing a National Makhana Research Center.
हम बिहार के साथ ही पूरे देश में स्वास्थ्य को लेकर इस होलिस्टिक अप्रोच से आगे बढ़ रहे हैं… pic.twitter.com/7r3m2lu2fY
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 13, 2024
Preserving Bihar’s Cultural Heritage and Legacy
Emphasizing the state’s cultural significance, PM Modi announced Darbhanga as part of the Ramayana Circuit, enhancing tourism potential by connecting it to sacred sites like Ayodhya. The government’s efforts, he said, are based on “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi” (Development with Heritage), which aims to promote both Bihar’s economic growth and its rich cultural history.
A Vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ for All
The Prime Minister praised Bihar’s double-engine governance, focusing on accelerated development for the state’s poorest and middle-class populations. PM Modi reiterated his vision for a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) that bridges infrastructure gaps and strengthens rural and urban areas alike. He assured citizens that his administration is committed to transforming Bihar into a model of progress and prosperity.
