Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with Jeevika Didi on Monday (March 23, 2026) in Jehanabad. | Photo credit: ANI
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday (March 23, 2026) began his fifth phase of Samriddhi Yatra from Jehanabad and Arwal, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth ₹405 crore.
He also inspected the ongoing development projects in both the districts and issued instructions to the officials concerned to complete the work within the stipulated time frame.
In Jehanabad, the Chief Minister sought information from officials regarding the implementation of various schemes announced during the previous ‘Pragati Yatra’.
During the review meeting, the Chief Minister directed that the implementation of the programs approved under the ‘Pragati Yatra’ be expedited. He emphasized that the programs currently being implemented under ‘Saat Nishchay-2’ must be implemented with greater efficiency.
He further directed that the work on the schemes marked under ‘Saat Nishchay-3’ be started effectively. Mr. Kumar asserted that the government is working in the best interest of the people and numerous schemes are being introduced for this purpose.
The Chief Minister announced that his government has set a target of providing jobs and employment opportunities to 1 million youth in the next five years.
“The government is actively encouraging individuals to set up industries in the state or engage in self-employment by offering them various incentives and facilities. A special economic package is being extended to entrepreneurs who want to set up industries in Bihar; this initiative is expected to provide significant assistance to those investing in the state’s industrial sector,” Kumar said.
He added that the main objective of the government is to further promote industrial growth in Bihar, ensure that the youth of the state become skilled and self-reliant, maximize employment opportunities for them and secure their future.
Mr. Kumar pointed out that a special “start-up policy” has been created to enable young entrepreneurs to set up their own businesses.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that the youth of our state become skilled and capable,” he affirmed.
At Arwal, he examined various developmental and welfare programs in the premises of the Government Medical Academy, Belkhara.
During the review meeting, District Magistrate Arwalu Amrisha Bains gave detailed information to the CM through a presentation – regarding the implementation of the programmes. Ms. Bains also briefed him on other ongoing development works in the district.
Mr. Kumar addressed public meetings in Jehanabad and Arwal along with Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and other government ministers.
Addressing the public, Mr. Choudhary said that under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-led government, the era of ‘Lal Salaam’ (Naxalite rule) has been completely ended.
He added that Nitish Kumar has laid a solid foundation for the development of Bihar through various initiatives.
Mr Choudhary noted that in the past it took hours to travel from Patna to Jehanabad, whereas today the same distance is covered in just 40 minutes. Now people move around the area without fear, even at night.
He pointed out that before 2005, Bihar’s annual budget was roughly ₹23,000 crore and today it is ₹3.5 crore.
The Bihar CM will travel to Kaimur, Rohtas, Buxar, Bhojpur, Nalanda, his hometown, before concluding the fifth phase in Patna on March 26.
Published – 24 March 2026 03:55 IST
