Key Points

The Bihar Cabinet approved the creation of 4,858 new posts across various government departments to improve administrative efficiency and public service delivery.

Among the major infrastructure decisions, a Rs 1,320 crore plan was approved for setting up a sewerage network project in Sasaram, Aurangabad, and Siwan.

In addition, a Rs 328 crore water supply scheme received clearance for Ara, Siwan, and Sasaram cities, aiming to boost urban utility services.

The cabinet also approved a new Bridge Maintenance Policy, which would ensure regular inspection, safety checks, and timely repairs of bridges across the state.

In a move expected to improve air connectivity, the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) in Bihar was reduced from 29 per cent to 4 per cent.

A proposal to build a dry dock in Dujra, Patna, was also approved. The facility will be used to repair aircraft, making it the first such unit in the region.

In a significant step towards women's empowerment, the cabinet decided that "Jeevika Didis" (members of the state's women's self-help groups) would prepare clothes for children at Anganwadi centres.

The area of Phulwari Sharif, Danapur, and Khagol near the capital of Patna will be expanded, and many villages will become part of these cities.

Earlier, on Friday, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation of multiple development projects worth over Rs 48,520 crore. He was joined by CM Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Samrat Chowdhary.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the steps being taken by the Union Government towards Bihar's development. Nitish Kumar also praised the Union Government's step to conduct the caste enumeration process in the next population census.

"The development work that is being done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the development of Bihar. He also announced assistance for Bihar in the budget. Whatever Bihar has received is a matter of pride. I salute the Centre for announcing the caste-based census. People from other parties were trying to create confusion ", Nitish Kumar said.

Nitish Kumar asserted that as soon as the NDA came to power in Bihar, they began to work for the development of the state. He added that his government has paid special attention towards the health sector and is working to connect every household with roads.

The Bihar CM stressed that many other developmental works, which include the construction of new houses and settlements, will be completed by June 2025.

A major highlight of the Prime Minister's visit to Bihar is the foundation stone laying for Stage-II (3x800 MW) of the Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project in Aurangabad district, valued at over Rs 29,930 crore.

The project is expected to significantly boost electricity generation, industrial development, and employment in the region.

PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone for key road infrastructure initiatives, including the four-laning of the Patna-Arrah-Sasaram section of NH-119A, six-laning of the Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata highway (NH-319B), the Ramnagar-Kacchi Dargah stretch (NH-119D), and a new Ganga bridge between Buxar and Bharauli.

- ANI