Motihari (Bihar) [India], July 18 : Union Minister Raj Bhushan Choudhary on Friday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to Bihar's development, highlighting the Centre's recent infrastructure initiatives aimed at boosting the state's progress.
The Union Minister pointed out that the central government had taken significant steps to enhance connectivity in Bihar.
Speaking to ANI, Choudhary said, ""PM Modi has a special regard for Bihar's development. In his last budget, we saw how much he allocated for Bihar's growth to prevent it from facing multiple crises. He undertook extensive projects to introduce various trains and six new airports for Bihar's progress... He is clearly dedicated to Bihar's development."
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off four new Amrit Bharat trains in Bihar's Motihari and also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 7,200 crore.
The Amrit Bharat will run between Rajendra Nagar Terminal (Patna) and New Delhi, Bapudham Motihari and Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal), Darbhanga and Lucknow (Gomti Nagar), and Malda Town and Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) via Bhagalpur.
PM Modi also handed over keys to some beneficiaries as part of the Griha Pravesh ceremony for 12,000 beneficiaries and released over Rs 160 crore to 40,000 beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin.
He also released Rs 400 crore to around 61,500 Self-Help Groups in Bihar under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). With a special focus on women-led development, over 10 crore women have been connected to Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
The visit by PM Modi comes ahead of the Assembly elections, which are set to be held in the state later this year.
In line with his commitment to boost connectivity and infrastructure, PM Modi dedicated multiple rail projects to the nation. It includes automatic signalling between the Samastipur-Bachhwara rail line that will enable efficient train operations in this section. The doubling of the Darbhanga-Thalwara and Samastipur-Rambhadrapur rail lines is part of the Darbhanga-Samastipur doubling project, worth over Rs 580 crore, which will enhance the capacity of train operations and reduce delays.