Patna: The Bihar Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on October 28, approved 43 proposals covering electricity distribution, flood management, transport infrastructure, industrial development, sports, education and administrative expansion.
Among the major decisions were a ₹11,096.55-crore scheme to strengthen the state’s low-tension electricity distribution network, a ₹1.99-crore study to map flood-prone areas along the Kosi, Gandak and Son rivers, and an ₹8.39-crore programme to assess the safety of 24 dams.
The Cabinet also approved a feasibility study for an underground road corridor in Patna, sanctioned ₹12 crore for the Bihar State Games 2026 and cleared proposals to promote industrial investment, expand regional air connectivity and create additional administrative posts.
₹11,096.55 Crore Approved to Strengthen Electricity Distribution
The Cabinet approved a scheme worth ₹11,096.55 crore to upgrade Bihar’s low-tension (LT) electricity distribution infrastructure. The programme will be implemented in phases over a maximum period of three years.
The proposed upgrades will cover LT cables, overloaded transformers and other components of the distribution network to improve its capacity to meet rising electricity demand.
According to the state government, Bihar’s peak electricity demand has increased from 1,802 MW in 2012 to 9,475 MW.
The Cabinet also authorised the state’s two electricity distribution companies to obtain financial assistance from banks and other financial institutions, backed by a state government guarantee.
The approved allocations are:
- North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited: ₹6,066 crore.
- South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited: ₹5,030.55 crore.
- Total approved scheme: ₹11,096.55 crore.
- Implementation period: Up to three years.
The scheme is intended to strengthen the distribution network as electricity demand continues to grow across the state.
Floodplain Mapping Along Kosi, Gandak and Son Rivers
The Cabinet approved a proposal for the Water Resources Department to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee, for a Flood Plain Zone Delineation Study.
The study, estimated to cost ₹1.99 crore, will identify and map flood-prone areas along the Kosi, Gandak and Son rivers, which are major tributaries of the Ganga.
The exercise is intended to support planning in flood-affected areas by accounting for changing environmental and socio-economic conditions. Its findings are expected to help authorities identify vulnerable locations and plan development while seeking to minimise loss of life and property.
Dam Safety Assessment to Cover 24 Dams
The Cabinet also approved a programme to assess the condition and safety of 24 dams in Bihar under the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
The scheme has an estimated cost of ₹8.39 crore and is targeted for completion within eight months.
The assessment will include:
- Hydrographic and sedimentation surveys to evaluate reservoir storage capacity and silt accumulation.
- Assessment of spillway discharge capacity under revised design-flood conditions.
- Evaluation of the hydraulic safety and condition of dams.
- Preparation of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs).
- Development of Operation and Maintenance (O&M) manuals.
The exercise is intended to strengthen dam safety management and improve preparedness for potential dam-related emergencies. The surveys will also help assess the impact of sediment accumulation on reservoir capacity.
₹18.21 Crore for Patna Underground Road Corridor Study
The Cabinet approved ₹18.21 crore for a feasibility study to examine the possibility of developing an underground road corridor in Patna.
The proposed study will explore whether underground routes could connect important locations across the state capital. Routes under consideration include:
- R Block Crossing to Kankarbagh.
- Dak Bungalow Crossing to Patna Women’s College.
- Other important locations in Patna.
Motipur Sugar Mill Land Divided Between Sugar Production and Other Industries
The Cabinet approved the allocation of land at the closed Motipur Sugar Mill in Muzaffarpur district for industrial development.
Of the mill’s total 266 acres, 115.08 acres will be used for establishing the sugar mill, while 151.58 acres will be transferred to the Industries Department for other industrial activities.
The decision falls under the state’s Samriddh Udyog–Sashakt Bihar initiative, part of the Saat Nischay-3 programme.
The objective is to put unused industrial assets to productive use and facilitate new industrial investment and employment opportunities.
New Sugar Mill Approved for Warisaliganj
The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a new sugar mill at Warisaliganj in Nawada district.
The proposed facility will be accompanied by sugarcane by-product-based units, including:
- A distillery.
- A co-generation power plant.
- A compressed biogas (CBG) plant.
The proposal forms part of the state government’s plan to revive old and closed sugar mills in phases under Saat Nischay-3.
Bihar MSME Policy 2026 Receives Ex-Post Facto Approval
The Cabinet granted ex-post facto approval to the Bihar MSME Policy, 2026, which sets out targets for expanding entrepreneurship and employment over five years.
The policy aims to:
- Connect one crore families with entrepreneurship.
- Generate one crore direct and indirect employment opportunities.
- Increase Bihar’s credit-deposit ratio to 75%.
- Establish at least one industrial cluster in every district.
- Set up MSME centres in all 38 districts of the state.
The policy is structured around ten pillars, including formalisation, skill development, cluster-based growth, access to finance and markets, technology adoption, emerging sectors and environmental sustainability.
The stated targets represent the policy’s objectives rather than completed outcomes.
₹12 Crore Sanctioned for Bihar State Games 2026
The Cabinet approved ₹12 crore for organising the proposed Bihar State Games 2026.
The event is expected to bring together participants from districts across the state and provide a platform to identify and nurture sporting talent.
The estimated participation includes:
- Players: Approximately 5,500.
- Technical officials: Around 750.
- Volunteers: Around 750.
- Sports disciplines: 24.
The Bihar Olympic Association has been authorised to make arrangements for accommodation, food, transport, medical facilities, security and sports equipment.
Restrictions on Land Transactions in Greenfield Satellite Townships Lifted
The Cabinet decided to remove restrictions on the purchase, sale and transfer of land in selected Greenfield Satellite Township areas, with immediate effect.
Following notification of the relevant development plans, construction and land development will be permitted according to the designated land use and applicable Development Control Regulations.
The decision changes the restrictions governing land transactions in the selected areas. Any construction or development will remain subject to the applicable planning framework.
₹43.50 Crore for Regional Air Connectivity Under UDAN
The Cabinet approved ₹43.50 crore in viability gap funding (VGF) to support regional air connectivity in Bihar under the Centre’s UDAN scheme.
The funding will be provided to the Airports Authority of India in accordance with the memorandum of understanding between the Central and Bihar governments.
The approved amount covers a period of 29 months, from May 2026 to September 2028, at a rate of ₹1.5 crore per month.
The allocation is intended to support the operation of regional air services under the scheme.
₹58.80 Crore for Student Hostel Accommodation
The Cabinet approved ₹58.80 crore to arrange hostel accommodation in private buildings for students enrolled in government engineering colleges and government polytechnic institutes.
The provision covers approximately 49,000 students, with an approved amount of ₹1,000 per student per bed.
The arrangement is intended to address accommodation requirements for students studying at the state’s government technical institutions.
Three City SP Posts and 143 Economic Offences Unit Posts Approved
The Cabinet approved the creation of three City Superintendent of Police posts for Motihari, Purnia and Saran districts.
It also approved 143 posts for expanding and strengthening Bihar’s regional Economic Offences Unit (EOU).
Other administrative and judicial decisions included:
- Bihar Information Commission: Creation of one State Information Commissioner post.
- Commercial courts: Creation of two District Judge-level posts for additional commercial courts under the Patna judgeship.
- Commercial disputes: The proposed courts will exclusively hear disputes involving amounts exceeding ₹1 crore.
These decisions are intended to expand administrative capacity and provide additional institutional resources for economic offence investigations and commercial dispute resolution.
₹37.10 Crore Approved for Consultancy on Three Road Projects
The Cabinet granted administrative approval of ₹37.10 crore for transaction-adviser consultancy services for three proposed road projects.
The projects are:
- Vishwamitra Path: Buxar–Ara–Maner Road, spanning 90 km.
- Ganga Ambika Path: Bidupur–Dighwara–Northern Ganga Road, spanning 56 km.
- Narayani Path: Darihara (Konhua)–Dumariaghat in Gopalganj district, spanning 73.51 km.
- The consultancy services will support the development and transaction process for these road projects.
Cabinet Decisions Span Infrastructure, Industry and Public Services
The 43 approvals cover a range of state priorities, from electricity distribution and flood management to industrial development, sports, education, policing and regional connectivity.
Several decisions involve funding for studies, consultancy or institutional preparation, while others approve specific schemes, land transfers and new posts.
Read Also: Bihar to Showcase Naxal-Free Achievement at National Unity Day 2026 in Gujarat
