Patna: The state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, on Wednesday approved the proposal to purchase land for the proposed 11 greenfield satellite townships. The cabinet also authorized the lease or sale of acquired land to investors for projects approved by the State Investment Promotion Board.
Currently, the sale and purchase of land in the proposed satellite township areas are banned. The state government has now relaxed these restrictions, allowing landowners to sell their land to the government in cases of family crises, major expenses such as weddings, or other special circumstances. The cabinet has empowered relevant administrative officials to acquire land from the owners.
A total of 29 agenda items were approved during the state cabinet meeting.
Key Decisions
Sports and Pilgrimage
The Bihar Outstanding Sportspersons Direct Recruitment Rules will be amended to provide higher-grade jobs to athletes who excelled at national and international events. Additionally, the cabinet approved the proposal to provide either 50% of travel expenses or Rs 20,000 per pilgrim upon completion of the ‘Sindhu Darshan’ pilgrimage in Ladakh under the ‘Sindhu Darshan Pilgrimage Financial Assistance Grant Scheme-2026’.
Infrastructure and Tourism
Among other major decisions, the cabinet approved setting up a CISF centre at Dobhi in Gaya district, introducing state government chartered helicopters for the CM Bihar Heli-Tourism and Air Tourism Service Scheme for fast and convenient travel to tourist destinations like Rajgir, Valmikinagar, and Maa Mundeshwari temple. The ‘Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum-cum-Memorial Stupa’ will be developed into an international tourist destination. The creation of an OSD post at the Patna High Court and a grant for the Bihar Higher Judicial Service (Amendment) Rules, 2026 were also approved.
Highway and Sand Study
Land will be acquired across Chand and Chainpur blocks of Kaimur district for the Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata Expressway proposed by the central government. A sum of Rs 230 crore has been sanctioned for this purpose. A study will be conducted on sand availability in five rivers: Sone, Kiul, Falgu, Morhar, and Chanan. Rs 2.32 crore has been sanctioned for this, and the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute will be engaged.
Traffic Management
An Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) will be established under the PPP mode to manage traffic and reduce road accidents. A budget of Rs 622 crore has been approved to install it at 500 locations across the state.
Extension of Appointment
The cabinet also extended the contractual appointment of Rajiv Kumar, director of the Bihar Legislative Assembly Secretariat, for a period of one year following the end of his current tenure on June 30.
