Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Interim Terminal Building at the New Civil Enclave of Purnea Airport, the fourth airport in Bihar, as part of his latest push to improve connectivity in eastern India. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, and Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Sinha and Samrat Choudhary attended the ceremony.
The visit comes months ahead of assembly elections in Bihar, with the Centre rolling out a development package of around ₹36,000 crore. The Prime Minister described the projects as vital for creating new opportunities in aviation, energy, agriculture and infrastructure.
A key highlight was the launch of the National Makhana Board, a body that will focus on research, technology, post-harvest management, value addition and exports. Bihar accounts for nearly 90 per cent of the country’s makhana production, with districts such as Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Saharsa, Katihar, Purnea, Supaul, Kishanganj and Araria serving as prime hubs due to favourable soil and climate. Officials said the Board is expected to position Bihar as a global leader in the sector while boosting incomes for lakhs of farmers.
In Bhagalpur, Modi laid the foundation stone of the 3x800 MW thermal power project at Pirpainti, billed as Bihar’s largest private sector investment worth ₹25,000 crore. The project, designed with ultra-super critical low-emission technology, is expected to provide dedicated power supply and significantly strengthen the state’s energy security.
Also read: Bihar to get fourth airport as Modi prepares for Purnea visit
Another major scheme unveiled was the ₹2,680-crore Kosi-Mechi Intra-State River Link Project, aimed at desilting canals, reconstructing damaged structures, and upgrading capacity from 15,000 to 20,000 cusecs. Authorities said the project would benefit multiple northeastern districts by expanding irrigation, mitigating floods and improving agricultural resilience, an issue of pressing importance in flood-prone Bihar.
Underscoring his government’s thrust on transport infrastructure, the Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several railway projects and flagged off multiple train services. These, officials said, will enhance connectivity across the state and to neighbouring regions.
With elections looming, the projects are expected to strengthen the ruling alliance’s development pitch in a state where issues of employment, migration and rural livelihoods continue to dominate political discourse.
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