CM Nitish Kumar Concludes Samriddhi Yatra with Major Project Launches in Vaishali
Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar concluded the first leg of his Samriddhi Yatra in Vaishali district on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in Bihar's development journey. During this event, he officially launched an impressive 128 projects with a total expenditure of Rs 152 crore specifically earmarked for Vaishali district.
Comprehensive Development Vision for Bihar
The Chief Minister utilized this platform to articulate his ambitious vision for transforming Bihar into a modern state anchored on robust infrastructure foundations. He emphasized that strong road networks and reliable power infrastructure would serve as the bedrock for this transformation, alongside focused promotion of industrial activities and strategic development of the tourism sector.
This eight-day tour, which began on January 16th, saw the CM covering nine districts, with Vaishali serving as the concluding point for this initial phase. During his visit to this historically significant district, Kumar conducted a thorough review of ongoing schemes and sought detailed updates from officials regarding the implementation status of projects that were announced during his Pragati Yatra conducted last year.
Public Engagement and Project Inauguration
As part of his 'jan samvad' public interaction program at Panapur, the Chief Minister addressed a gathering of citizens before formally launching all 128 schemes through remote control. The inauguration ceremony featured the unveiling of stone plaques for 25 substantial projects valued at Rs 54 crore, while the remaining 103 schemes worth Rs 98 crore were formally inaugurated through official proceedings.
Earlier in the day, Kumar conducted a hands-on spot inspection of silt-removal operations from the bed of the Baya river in Mahua block. He also attended an official function at the campus of the government medical college located in Mahua, demonstrating his commitment to both infrastructure and institutional development.
Vaishali's Strategic Importance and Economic Potential
Over the past four decades, Vaishali district has steadily emerged as a major economic growth center in Bihar. With its headquarters situated at Hajipur, located strategically north of the sacred Ganga river, the district enjoys excellent connectivity through national and state highways linking it to Muzaffarpur, Saran, Samastipur, and Patna.
The district benefits from brisk transportation activity supported by three major bridges spanning the Ganga, an established industrial area, the headquarters of the East Central Railway zone, extensive banana plantations, and several other significant institutions that contribute to its economic vitality.
Blueprint for a Modern Bihar
Against this backdrop of existing potential, the Chief Minister, during his 'jan samvad' address, emphasized the ambitious goal of creating a "modern" Bihar that would eventually rank among the developed states of India. He stressed that this transformation would be achieved through effective implementation of schemes envisaged under the comprehensive Saat Nishchay-3 programme.
In alignment with this vision, Kumar announced concrete plans including the development of a new industrial area spanning 1,243.45 acres of identified land within Vaishali district. Additionally, he revealed that a power sub-grid system is being installed to strengthen the district's energy infrastructure.
Infrastructure Expansion and Urban Development Plans
Recalling the foundational vision of the Saat Nishchay programme, which he described as "strong infrastructure – modern expansion" for the state, the Chief Minister outlined several transformative initiatives:
- Development of a new planned city north of the Ganga river
- Phased upgrading of rural roads into two-lane thoroughfares
- Construction of five expressways across Bihar to enhance connectivity
- Expansion of urban areas with strengthened civic facilities
- Substantial improvements to power supply infrastructure
- Installation of solar panels on rooftops of willing households
- Additional impetus for establishment of new industrial units
Tourism and Sports Development Initiatives
The Chief Minister elaborated that the state's new development vision includes a strong focus on promoting both conventional tourism and eco-tourism. He announced plans to develop tourist destinations strategically to attract both national and international visitors, thereby creating new economic opportunities.
In the sports domain, Kumar revealed ambitious plans including the development of a sports city meeting international standards in Patna. Furthermore, he announced that centers of excellence for sports would be established in all districts across Bihar, creating a comprehensive sports infrastructure network.
Review of Critical Infrastructure Projects
During the review meeting, the Chief Minister specifically sought updates on the de-silting operations of the Baya river, a seasonal waterbody known to be prone to flooding during monsoon seasons. Officials informed him that this critical work had been successfully completed, which prompted his subsequent spot inspection to verify progress firsthand.
Officials also presented the current status of the water-filling scheme for the Baraila wetland and the drainage of excess accumulated water. This wetland, surrounded by eight villages, maintains its own unique ecosystem and supports local fishery activities, making its proper management crucial for both environmental balance and economic sustenance.
The conclusion of this Samriddhi Yatra leg marks a significant step forward in Bihar's development narrative, with Vaishali district positioned to play a pivotal role in the state's journey toward modernization and economic prosperity.
