CM Samrat Choudhary sets Rs 5 lakh-cr investment target for Bihar; pushes rapid rail project
Patna, June 12
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced an ambitious target of attracting investments worth nearly Rs 5 lakh crore to Bihar by November 20, 2026, while also unveiling plans for rapid rail connectivity linking key cities such as Gaya, Rajgir and Muzaffarpur within approximately 40 minutes.
Speaking at the 12 Years of Trust, Development and Public Welfare media interaction organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party to mark 12 years of the Union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CM Choudhary highlighted the NDA government's development agenda and infrastructure expansion across the state.
He stated that Bihar is rapidly emerging as an attractive destination for investors, with projects related to cement manufacturing, beverage production and data centres progressing at a fast pace.
To accelerate industrial approvals, the government has fixed a 30-day deadline for granting permissions, after which approvals will reportedly be issued automatically.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the expansion of road, electricity, rail and aviation infrastructure in the state.
Following airport development projects in Darbhanga and Purnea, work is underway on additional airports, airstrips and helipad facilities.
He said the proposed rapid rail corridor connecting Rajgir, Gaya and Muzaffarpur is being pursued seriously as part of efforts to modernise transport infrastructure.
On governance and public service delivery, Choudhary reiterated a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.
Referring to the government's "Sahyog" initiative, he said citizens can file grievances online and that complaints must be resolved within 30 days, failing which action would be initiated against the officials concerned.
He further explained that the "Sahyog" mechanism functions through a fixed timeline. If work is not completed within 10 days, an automatic notice is issued on the 11th day, followed by another notice on the 21st day.
According to him, the objective is to create a citizen-centric administrative system where public services are delivered transparently and within defined timelines.
During the interaction, Choudhary also addressed the issue of reservation policies.
He claimed that reservation benefits now extend across nearly all sections of society except economically affluent groups.
He highlighted that the PM Modi-led government granted constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes and said the "creamy layer" principle applies to both backward classes and upper-caste economically weaker sections.
He stated that individuals from OBC categories earning more than Rs 8 lakh annually are excluded from reservation benefits under the creamy layer criterion, while a similar income threshold also applies to economically weaker sections among upper castes.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I appreciate the focus on infrastructure like airports and rapid rail. Bihar has been neglected for decades, and finally, there's some serious planning. But the creamy layer criteria for OBC at Rs 8 lakh seems a bit low – many middle-class families in cities like Patna are struggling with inflation, and this might cut off genuine beneficiaries. Need a more realistic threshold!
As someone who's worked on development projects, I'm skeptical about these big targets. Building rapid rail in 40 minutes between cities sounds impressive, but land acquisition and funding are nightmares in India. The Sahyog initiative for grievances is a good step though – transparency and timelines matter. Hope Kerala-style efficiency comes to Bihar! 😊
CM Choudhary is talking big but where is the action? I've been waiting for a basic road repair in Muzaffarpur for months. Rapid rail is futuristic but we need basic amenities first – clean water, reliable electricity, and functional hospitals. The 30-day approval auto-issue policy could lead to corruption if not monitored properly. Let's hope this isn't just another election gimmick. #BiharNeedsAction
The reservation policy clarification is interesting. I support the creamy layer concept to ensure benefits reach the truly needy. But with inflation rising, Rs 8 lakh is not that high anymore – many OBC families with government jobs are barely managing on that. Also, glad to see emphasis on data centres – that could bring tech jobs to Bihar! 🚀
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