Patna: The Centre has agreed to the construction of a rail-cum-road bridge over the Ganga River under the Vikramshila-Katareeya railway line project. It has also agreed to the operation of a Vande Bharat Express between Sitamarhi in Bihar and Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.
These developments were discussed during a meeting between Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Union Railway and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi on Tuesday. The two leaders reviewed several railway and IT-related projects in Bihar, along with proposals aimed at improving connectivity, industrial development and investment opportunities in the state.
Additional Trains for Guru Gobind Singh’s 360th Prakash Parv
The meeting also discussed special train arrangements for Bihar during the upcoming festive season and the 360th Prakash Parv of Guru Gobind Singh at Patna Sahib in January next year.
The religious event is scheduled to be held in January, and additional trains will operate for Bihar between January 9 and 16 to facilitate the movement of devotees and visitors.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary requested special trains for Bihar during Diwali and Chhath as well. In response, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that arrangements had been made for around 15,000 train trips for Bihar, compared with approximately 12,000 trips under normal operations.
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Railway Connectivity to Gaya Integrated Manufacturing Cluster
Improving rail connectivity to the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) being developed in Gaya was another key issue discussed during the meeting.
Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Railways was ready to construct a new railway link from the Dobhi-Chatra railway line to IMC Gaya, provided the Bihar government undertakes the required land acquisition.
The proposed railway connectivity is expected to facilitate the transportation of raw materials to industrial units and the movement of finished products to markets.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of the Bihta-Aurangabad and Sultanganj-Katoria railway line projects, with discussions focused on accelerating their implementation.
Production Capacity Expansion at Madhepura and Marhowrah Rail Factories
The future production plans of the railway locomotive manufacturing facilities at Marhowrah and Madhepura were also discussed.
The current production arrangements at both factories are scheduled to conclude in 2028. Around six months after their completion, production is expected to resume under a new framework.
The proposed initiative will also focus on doubling the production capacity of these facilities, strengthening Bihar’s role in railway manufacturing.
Proposal for a Large Manufacturing City in Bihar
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw suggested developing a large manufacturing city in Bihar to create employment opportunities and attract industrial investment.
He recommended focusing particularly on the leather and textile sectors, which could support large-scale industrial activity and generate employment.
The meeting also discussed the regular review of ongoing IT-related projects in Bihar, particularly the Bihar One project, to ensure their timely progress.
Bihar Plans to Attract Foxconn for Semiconductor and Electronics Investment
The proposed establishment of an electronics and semiconductor industry at Rajapakar in Vaishali district was another important topic during the discussions.
Ashwini Vaishnaw suggested preparing a detailed A3-size map of the land available at Rajapakar. The map should clearly indicate road and railway connectivity, electricity supply lines and other essential infrastructure facilities.
Based on this map, major companies such as Foxconn could be offered suitable land options according to their investment and operational requirements. The proposal aims to strengthen Bihar’s prospects of attracting large investments in the semiconductor and electronics sectors.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also requested support in bringing a major business process outsourcing (BPO) company to Bihar as a key investor.
The discussions covered a range of initiatives, including railway infrastructure, passenger connectivity, industrial manufacturing, semiconductor investment and IT development, with the aim of strengthening Bihar’s economic and industrial growth.
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