The Bihar government has approved a sweeping infrastructure push centred on planned urban expansion and technology-led development, with the state cabinet clearing proposals for 11 satellite townships and a major research park at IIT-Patna.
The decisions were taken at the first cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday (22 April)
The satellite townships will be developed around key cities, with each assigned a new identity - including Patliputra (Patna), Hariharnathpuram (Sonepur), Magadh (Gaya), Mithila (Darbhanga), Koshi (Saharsa), Purnia, Ang (Munger), Vikramshila (Bhagalpur), Tirhut (Muzaffarpur), Saran (Chapra) and Sitapuram (Sitamarhi).
Zonal and master plans for these townships are already in preparation, with core and special development zones identified.
To prevent speculative activity and ensure planned growth, the government has temporarily restricted land transactions in these notified areas until planning frameworks are finalised over the coming year.
The cabinet has approved the setting up of a dedicated research park at the IIT Patna.
The project will be funded through a combination of central assistance and a state contribution of Rs 305 crore out of a total estimated cost of Rs 480.71 crore.
Once fully developed, the facility is expected to support start-ups, strengthen industry-academia collaboration, and generate around 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The meeting also cleared large-scale investments in skill development infrastructure, with plans to upgrade 75 Industrial Training Institutes into modern centres aligned with current industry needs.
The cabinet has also approved a major redevelopment of the Hariharnath Temple in Saran district, with an outlay of Rs 680 crore.
The project will focus on large-scale external remodelling of the temple premises and its surroundings, drawing inspiration from the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor model.