Gaya (Bihar): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid the foundation stone and inaugurated a series of development projects worth around Rs 13,000 crore in Gaya, Bihar, marking a significant push for infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, and tourism in the state.
Ahead of the inauguration, PM Modi held a roadshow in Gaya, accompanied by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha, where thousands gathered to greet him.
As part of the initiatives, the Prime Minister flagged off two new trainsโthe Amrit Bharat Express between Gaya and Delhi, aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and safety, and the Buddhist Circuit Train between Vaishali and Koderma, which is expected to strengthen religious and cultural tourism in the region.
Key Projects Launched
- Urban Infrastructure: PM Modi laid the foundation stone of sewerage and water supply projects worth Rs 1,260 crore across Aurangabad, Bodhgaya, Jehanabad, Lakhisarai, and Jamui under AMRUT 2.0, improving drinking water access and sanitation facilities.
- Bridges & Highways: He inaugurated the 8.15 km Aunta-Simaria bridge on NH-31, including a 6-lane Ganga bridge built at a cost of Rs 1,870 crore. The bridge will ease traffic, reduce a detour of over 100 km for heavy vehicles, and boost connectivity between North and South Bihar. He also inaugurated the four-lane Bakhtiyarpur-Mokama section of NH-31 (Rs 1,900 crore) and improvements to NH-120, enhancing rural connectivity.
- Power Sector: The Prime Minister inaugurated the Buxar Thermal Power Plant (660×1 MW), built at a cost of Rs 6,880 crore, which will increase Biharโs electricity generation capacity and energy security.
- Healthcare: The Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Muzaffarpur was also inaugurated, equipped with advanced oncology facilities, modern labs, operation theatres, ICU and HDU wards, promising affordable cancer care for patients across Bihar and neighboring states.
- Namami Gange Project: A new Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) and Sewerage Network worth Rs 520 crore was inaugurated at Munger to reduce pollution in the Ganga and improve sanitation.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi emphasized that these projects would transform Biharโs connectivity, improve healthcare access, strengthen the power sector, and create new opportunities for tourism and trade.
