Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced several Bihar-related schemes, including State—National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Makhana Board, greenfield airports in addition to expansion of Patna airport, West Kosi Canal Project in Mithilanchal, road connectivity projects, power projects, such as setting up of a new 2,400-MW power plant at Pirpainti, medical colleges and sports infrastructure, etc.
“Greenfield airports will be felicitated in Bihar to meet the future needs of the State. These will be in addition to the expansion of the capacity of Patna airport and a brownfield airport in Bihta,” she said.
Financial support will be provided for the Western Kosi Canal ERM project benefitting a large number of farmers cultivating over 50,000 hectares in the Mithilanchal region, the Minister told Parliament.
This is in addition to the several Bihar schemes unveiled as part of a larger Purvodaya plan that covers human resource development, infrastructure, and generation of economic opportunities in eastern states.
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Bihar has been getting attention in the Budget given that it is ruled by a coalition of BJP, JDU, and other regional parties. Ahead of the Budget, the State had sought much more funds including ₹25,000 crore interest free loan to fund infra development projects, over ₹48,000 crore allocation for rural roads under PM Gramin Sadak Yojna, among others.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hailed the Budget as a “progressive and forward-thinking” financial plan that promises to accelerate both national and State-level development.
“Through this Budget, the Central Government has taken several steps to further increase the pace of development of the country. The announcements made for Bihar in the Budget will further accelerate the development of Bihar,” the Bihar CM said on X.
“The establishment of a Makhana Board in the State to improve the production, processing, value addition and marketing of the nut will benefit makhana farmers. Providing the facility of greenfield airports in Bihar to meet the future needs of the State will increase the number of international flights, which will greatly benefit the people here and will also accelerate the economic development of the State,” he emphasised in his detailed post.
