PM Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stone and dedicates to the nation multiple development projects worth Rs 12,100 crore in Bihar

DARBHANGA : Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various development projects worth around Rs 12,100 crore in Darbhanga, Bihar on 13th November. The development projects comprise health, rail, road, petroleum and natural gas sectors.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that voting is going on in the neighbouring state of Jharkhand and the people of the state are casting their votes for a Viksit Bharat. He urged the citizens of Jharkhand to come forward in large numbers. The Prime Minister also paid tributes to Late Sharda Sinha ji and lauded her uncomparable contributions to music, especially her compositions of Chathh Mahaparv.

The Prime Minister stated that the state of Bihar along with entire India was witnessing the progress of major developmental targets. He added that unlike in the past when the schemes and projects were just on papers, today they are being successfully implemented on ground. “We are treading steadfastly towards Viksit Bharat”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He added that our current generation was fortunate enough to be a witness to the Viksit Bharat along with contributing towards the goal.

Shri Modi highlighted the government’s emphasis on Yoga, Ayurveda, nutritional value, Fit India Movement. Pointing out that junk food and a poor lifestyle are the main cause of common ailments, the Prime Minister listed out the government’s efforts and mentioned campaigns like Swachh Bharat, toilets in each home and tap water connection that are aimed at promoting cleanliness and reducing the scope for diseases. The Prime Minister also praised the efforts of the Chief Secretary, his team and the people of the state to carry out cleanliness campaigns in Darbhanga for the past few days and to strengthen the movement. He also urged to extend the campaign for another few days.

The Prime Minister remarked that the severity of many diseases can be reduced if detected early. However, he noted, the high cost of diagnostics and research had prevented the people from getting known about being affected. “We have started more than 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in the country”, said Shri Modi which will help in early detection of diseases.

Noting that more than 4 crore patients were treated under the Ayushman Bharat scheme till date, the Prime Minister said that the absence of the scheme would have desisted many ill people from even being admitted to hospital. Shri Modi said that the scheme had alleviated the worries of many poor people due to the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. He noted that around 1.25 lakh crore Rupees has been saved by crores families due to Ayushman scheme and the patients were treated in both Government and private hospitals under the scheme.

Emphasising the Government’s efforts to fight cancer, Shri Modi noted the cancer facility being constructed at Muzaffarpur will benefit the cancer patients of Bihar. He added that this single facility would cater to the needs of various kinds of cancers and patients need not have to travel to Delhi or Mumbai. The Prime Minister was pleased to announce the availability of a new eye hospital in Bihar soon. He added that he had requested the Kanchi Kamakoti Shri Shankarcharya ji for an eye hospital in Bihar like the recently inaugurated Sankara eye hospital in Varanasi and the work was in progress.

The Prime Minister lauded the Chief Minister of Bihar for developing a model of good governance . He said that the double engine government is committed to fast paced development in Bihar and working on the roadmap to strengthen the small farmers and industries. He said that Bihar’s identity is getting a boost with the infrastructural development, airports and expressways, as he credited the Udan scheme for the development of a new airport in Darbhanga. He also mentioned other development projects of today including expressways worth Rs 5,500 crore and City Gas Distribution (CGD) network worth around Rs 3,400 crore. “Mahayajna of development is taking Bihar to new heights”, the Prime Minister said, adding that new employment opportunities are being created.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the Government was undertaking all efforts to provide relief to the people from the recurrent floods in Kosi and Mithila.He added that a comprehensive plan was announced in this year’s annual budget to tackle the floods in Bihar. He expressed confidence that a solution to the floods would be arrived at with the cooperation of Nepal and related development works worth over Rs 11,000 crore were underway.

“Bihar is the biggest center of India’s heritage”, said Shri Modi, adding that cherishing this legacy is a responsibility of all of us. Therefore, he added, that the Government was following the mantra of “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi”. The Prime Minister underlined that Nalanda university was treading forward today to reclaim its long lost popularity.

Underlining the need for conservation of languages, the Prime Minister informed that Pali language, which scripts the teaching of Lord Buddha and Bihar’s glorious past, has been conferred the status of a Classical language. He reminded that it was the present government that included Maithili language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India. “Maithili has been accorded the second language of the state in Jharkhand”, he added.

The Prime Minister informed that Darbhanga is one of the more than 12 cities in the country to be connected with Ramayana Circuit, thereby giving a boost to tourism. He said that Amrit Bharat train on Darbhanga – Sitamarhi – Ayodhya route has hugely benefited the citizens.

Shri Modi paid tributes to the Maharaj of Darbhanga Estate, Shri Kameshwar Singh ji who made significant contributions before and after independence. He added that the social work of Shri Kameshwar Singh ji is Darbhanga’s pride and an inspiration for everybody. He noted that his good work is often discussed in Kashi as well. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister underlined the state and the central government’s endeavour to maximize the benefits for the people and congratulated them once again.

Governor of Bihar, Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar and Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Shri Chirag Paswan were present on the occasion among others.

Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of multiple initiatives in the petroleum and natural gas sector worth over Rs 4,020 crore. In line with the vision of bringing Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to households and providing clean energy options to commercial and industrial sectors, Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in five major districts of Bihar at Darbhanga, Madhubani, Supaul, Sitamarhi and Sheohar by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. He also laid the foundation stone for a Bitumen manufacturing unit of Barauni Refinery of Indian Oil Corporation Limited that will produce bitumen domestically helping reduce reliance on imported bitumen.