Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reached Purnea in Bihar, where he inaugurated the Interim Terminal Building at the New Civil Enclave of Purnea Airport. The event witnessed the presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, and Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Sinha and Samrat Choudhary. The new terminal is expected to improve connectivity and boost economic opportunities in the region.
Later in the day, PM Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth nearly ₹36,000 crore. Among the key highlights was the launch of the National Makhana Board, a long-standing demand of farmers in Bihar. The Board will promote production, adopt modern technologies, improve post-harvest management, strengthen value addition and processing, and boost branding and exports. Bihar, which accounts for nearly 90% of India’s total makhana production, particularly in districts such as Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Saharsa, Katihar, Purnea, Supaul, Kishanganj, and Araria, is set to gain significantly from this initiative.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the 3x800 MW thermal power project at Pirpainti in Bhagalpur. With an investment of around ₹25,000 crore, it marks the state’s largest private sector project. Designed with ultra-supercritical, low-emission technology, the plant is expected to provide dedicated power and strengthen Bihar’s energy security.
Additionally, PM Modi launched Phase 1 of the Kosi-Mechi Intra-State River Link Project, worth over ₹2,680 crore. The project will include desilting and reconstruction of canals, renovation of damaged structures, and enhancement of discharge capacity from 15,000 to 20,000 cusecs. It is projected to benefit several northeastern districts of Bihar through expanded irrigation, improved flood control, and enhanced agricultural resilience.
Reaffirming his government’s focus on improving connectivity, the Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple railway projects in Bihar and flagged off new trains, which are expected to improve mobility and economic integration in the state.
With the Bihar elections approaching, the massive development push has been viewed as not just an infrastructural milestone but also a political message.
