Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a range of development projects totalling ₹12,100 crore in Darbhanga, Bihar, on Wednesday. The highlight of these initiatives includes the establishment of an AIIMS in the northern town, marking Bihar’s second AIIMS facility after Patna. The event saw the presence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, along with Union ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, underscoring the significant boost these projects are expected to bring to the state.

“Earlier, every person suffering from an ailment used to travel to AIIMS Delhi. However, our government established new AIIMS hospitals in many parts of the country. Today, there are 24 AIIMS hospitals in the country,” PM Modi stated while addressing the crowd, emphasising the government’s commitment to expanding accessible healthcare across India.

In an effort to enhance connectivity in Bihar, PM Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several National Highway projects valued at approximately ₹5,070 crore. Among these key infrastructure projects is the four-lane Galgalia-Araria section of NH-327E, providing an alternative route from Araria on the East-West Corridor (NH-27) to West Bengal at Galgalia.

Additionally, PM Modi laid the foundation for eight major National Highway projects. These include the construction of a two-lane road with paved shoulders from Ramnagar to Rosera, and the Bihar-West Bengal border to Manihari section of NH-131A. Other critical road projects are the Hajipur-Bachhwara route via Mahnar and Mohiuddin Nagar and the Sarwan-Chakai section. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Raniganj Bypass on NH-327E, which bypasses NH-333A in Katoria, Lakhpura, Banka, and Panjwara, as well as a four-lane link road connecting NH-82 to NH-33.

Further strengthening the state’s rail infrastructure, PM Modi launched railway projects worth over ₹1,740 crore, which include the Sonenagar Bypass Railway Line from Chiralapothu to Bagha Bishunpur, valued at ₹220 crore. Other significant rail initiatives include the ₹1,520 crore Jhanjharpur-Laukaha Bazar gauge conversion, the Darbhanga Bypass Railway Line to alleviate congestion, and the doubling of regional railway lines. He flagged off services on the Jhanjharpur-Laukaha Bazar line and introduced MEMU trains along this route, aimed at boosting regional connectivity.

In line with the government’s efforts to provide affordable healthcare, the Prime Minister also inaugurated 18 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras at railway stations across the state. These centres will make essential medicines more accessible and affordable for passengers travelling through Bihar’s rail network.

These extensive development initiatives mark a major stride in enhancing healthcare, transportation, and connectivity in Bihar, reinforcing the government’s commitment to driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for the people in the region.