Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his fourth visit to Bihar in the last six months, hit out at dynastic politics within the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress on Friday. He also accused the two parties for doing nothing for development of the state.
“For us, it is Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikaas. For them, it is Parivaar Ka Saath, Parivaar Ka Vikaas,” Modi said at a rally in Siwan.
“The Nitish Kumar-led NDA government has brought Bihar back to track, while the Opposition parties are against investment and development of the State. During their rule, ‘Jungle Raj’ prevailed in the state,” he said at a rally in Bihar’s Siwan district.
With Assembly elections due in the state in October-November, the NDA is making an all out attempt to retain power in Bihar that has witnessed several political flip-flops in the last few years. No wonder, the PM announced several projects in the state.
Modi invoked the legacy of Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, who was born in Siwan and his contribution towards framing of the Constitution. Siwan is the place which gives power to the country, he said.
“Of late, I got an opportunity to meet some important leaders and all of them are impressed with India’s fast progress. But I want to do more for Bihar, for every village, for every household, for every youth. The NDA government in Bihar has built 55,000 km of rural roads, provided electricity and piped water to 1.5 crore households and 26 crore households respectively,” the Prime Minister said.
He also launched 28 development projects worth more than Rs 5,900 crore for the Siwan district alone. Modi inaugurated the new Vaishali–Deoria railway line project, built at a cost of over Rs 400 crore and flagged-off a new train service on this route. He also flagged-off the Vande Bharat Express between Patliputra (Patna) and Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah.
As part of the ‘Make in India – Make for the World’ initiative, Modi also flagged-off an advanced locomotive for the Republic of Guinea from the Marhowra diesel locomotive factory.
The PM also inaugurated six Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) worth Rs 1,800 crore under the Namami Gange project, as part of his commitment to conserve and rejuvenate the Ganga. He also laid the foundation stone for additional water supply, sanitation and STP projects across Bihar, totaling Rs 3,000 crore.
Modi also laid the foundation stone for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) across 15 grid substations in the state, including those in Muzaffarpur, Motihari, Bettiah, and Siwan. He handed over the first instalment to more than 53,600 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) and marked the Grih Pravesh ceremony for over 6,600 completed houses by handing over keys to select beneficiaries.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, two deputy chief ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and other senior NDA leaders were present.