In a significant development for Bihar's Muzaffarpur district, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched a comprehensive package of 172 schemes and projects with a total value of Rs853 crore during his Samriddhi Yatra on Friday. The event, held at the agricultural production and marketing committee (APMC) ground in Ahiyapur, Muzaffarpur, marked a major push under the government's 'Saat Nischay-3' programme, with accessible healthcare emerging as the primary focus.
Massive Infrastructure and Development Push
During the elaborate ceremony, the Chief Minister utilized remote control technology to lay foundation stones for 89 schemes worth Rs194 crore, unveil stone plaques for 47 schemes valued at Rs212 crore, and inaugurate 36 completed projects involving an expenditure of Rs447 crore. This multi-faceted approach demonstrates the government's commitment to both initiating new projects and completing ongoing ones across various sectors.
Healthcare Transformation Initiatives
Addressing the 'jan samvad' function, CM Nitish Kumar emphasized that providing an accessible healthcare system remains the cornerstone of his administration's priorities. He announced ambitious plans to upgrade block-level community health centres into specialty hospitals while transforming sadar and district hospitals into super specialty facilities. To ensure quality medical education, the government is actively working to implement the public private partnership (PPP) model in state medical colleges.
In a move to address healthcare disparities, the Chief Minister revealed that incentives would be provided to government doctors willing to serve in remote areas of Bihar. This initiative aims to bridge the urban-rural healthcare gap and ensure medical professionals reach underserved populations across the state.
Economic Development and Employment Generation
Recognizing Muzaffarpur's dual identity as both a traditional trade hub and an emerging industrial centre, the Chief Minister announced plans to provide an economic package for investors interested in establishing new industrial units in the region. He highlighted the government's focus on promoting startups to launch diversified economic activities that would generate substantial employment opportunities.
The administration has set an ambitious target of providing jobs and work opportunities to one crore youths over the next five years. Special incentives and support mechanisms will be extended to those opting for self-employment, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for entrepreneurial growth and economic empowerment.
Infrastructure and Agricultural Focus
"Our thrust is to create strong infrastructure and robust agricultural, health and industrial sectors, so that Bihar joins the category of advanced states," reiterated the Chief Minister during his address. He acknowledged the crucial support and cooperation coming from the central government in achieving these developmental goals.
On the occasion, CM Nitish Kumar personally handed over a cheque valued at Rs406 crore to Jeevika didis associated with 27,628 self-help groups (SHGs), demonstrating the government's commitment to women's economic empowerment through grassroots financial initiatives. He also visited departmental stalls and reviewed the implementation of ongoing schemes while seeking detailed updates from officials about projects announced during his earlier Pragati Yatra.
Road Infrastructure Development
The Pragati Yatra schemes primarily focused on transportation infrastructure, including:
- Widening and strengthening of existing roads
- Construction of ring roads for Muzaffarpur town
- Development of road over bridges (ROBs)
- Road and bridge projects under CM Setu Yojana in peripheral areas
These infrastructure projects span across Mushahari, Gaighat, Aurai, and Bandara blocks, with the Chief Minister personally inspecting road widening and strengthening work in Mushahari block to ensure quality implementation.
High-Level Political Presence
The event witnessed participation from several key political figures and officials, including:
- Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha
- Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary
- Agriculture Minister Ram Kripal Yadav
- CM's Principal Secretary Deepak Kumar
- Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit
This collective presence underscores the government's unified approach toward Muzaffarpur's comprehensive development and Bihar's broader transformation agenda under the Saat Nischay-3 programme.
