Bihar Chief Secretary Conducts Comprehensive Review of Key State Projects
In a significant development aimed at accelerating Bihar's infrastructural growth, Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit presided over a high-level review meeting on Wednesday. The session, held at the secretariat's convention hall, focused on centrally-sponsored projects under the Project Monitoring Group and Pragati initiatives, with a strong emphasis on adherence to timelines and quality standards.
Urgent Directives for AIIMS-Darbhanga Project
The Chief Secretary issued critical instructions regarding the AIIMS-Darbhanga project, a flagship healthcare initiative. He mandated that the shifting of 400 KVA high-tension wires must be completed on a mission mode by mid-May, underscoring the urgency of this task. Furthermore, the health department was directed to promptly submit the technical proposal for soil filling and ring embankment construction within the campus to the Union Health Ministry.
Amrit emphasized that all project works must be finished within their stipulated deadlines, ensuring high construction quality and strict accountability in cases of negligence. He also called for swift coordination among departments concerning land acquisition, forest clearances, and the relocation of power utilities to avoid delays.
Progress on Industrial and Waterway Projects
During the review of the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster in Gaya, officials highlighted that the project is anticipated to generate approximately 1.10 lakh jobs in the future. The Chief Secretary directed authorities to expedite the construction of the proposed industrial police station and helipad at Dobhi. He also ordered that external infrastructure, including reliable water supply and electricity, be provided within a fixed timeframe to support industrial growth.
The Jal Marg Vikas Pariyojana, a key inland waterway project, was also discussed, with physical progress reported at an impressive 76.78%. Amrit instructed that the transfer of government land for the development of the Inland Water Transport Regional Centre of Excellence be completed at the earliest to maintain momentum.
Advances in Cooperatives and Urban Sanitation
In the cooperatives sector, officials informed the meeting that hardware has been supplied to all 4,477 sanctioned Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in Bihar, and personnel training has been concluded. A total of 4,476 PACS have already been declared e-PACS, with the remaining one expected to be brought online within seven days. The Chief Secretary directed the department to ensure 100% utilization of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software by all PACS to enhance operational efficiency.
Reviewing the urban development and housing department, it was revealed that legacy waste at nine out of 45 dumpsites in the state has been fully treated, while work is ongoing at 13 additional sites. The meeting also deliberated on the proposed Waste-to-Energy plant in Patna and Waste-to-Wonder Parks in Patna and Munger.
Amrit instructed the urban development department to install GPS devices in garbage collection vehicles and ensure real-time monitoring through the Swachhtam Portal and Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) dashboard. He also ordered the quick completion of pending tender processes for legacy waste treatment. Urban local bodies were urged to strictly enforce the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle to improve Bihar's performance in garbage-free city star ratings.
High-Level Participation and Future Implications
The meeting saw the attendance of senior officials from key departments, including finance, health, industries, energy, revenue and land reforms, water resources, cooperatives, and urban development and housing. This collective effort underscores the state government's commitment to holistic development and efficient project execution.
This comprehensive review signals a proactive approach by the Bihar administration to address infrastructural bottlenecks and enhance public service delivery across sectors. The directives issued are expected to streamline processes, boost job creation, and improve urban living standards, contributing significantly to the state's overall progress and development trajectory.
