THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Siwan, June 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Bihar’s Siwan district on Friday, launched a wide array of development initiatives worth over ₹5,900 crore, spanning infrastructure, connectivity, energy, housing, and environmental sustainability.
The event was attended by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with Union ministers and senior officials.
Major Railway Connectivity Boost
In a significant boost to railway infrastructure, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Vaishali–Deoria railway line project, built at a cost of over ₹400 crore, and flagged off a new train service along the route.
Additionally, enhancing rail connectivity in north Bihar, he flagged off the Vande Bharat Express between Patliputra (Patna) and Gorakhpur via Muzaffarpur and Bettiah.
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‘Make in India’ Locomotive Flagged Off for Export
Modi also marked a milestone in India’s export ambitions by flagging off a high-tech locomotive manufactured at the Marhowra plant for delivery to the Republic of Guinea.
The advanced locomotive features high-horsepower engines, AC propulsion, modern control systems, and energy-saving regenerative braking—underscoring the government’s ‘Make in India – Make for the World’ vision.
Energy Storage Push to Aid Power Supply and Cost Savings
In the energy sector, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), to be installed across 15 grid substations including in Siwan, Bettiah, Motihari, and Muzaffarpur.
The battery banks, ranging between 20 and 80 MWh per site, will allow discoms to store electricity during off-peak hours and feed it back into the grid during peak demand, helping reduce costs and improve service reliability.
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6 Sewage Treatment Plants
For the rejuvenation of the Ganga, PM Modi inaugurated six sewage treatment plants under the Namami Gange initiative, with a total cost exceeding ₹1,800 crore. He also laid foundation stones for additional drinking water, sanitation, and STP projects across Bihar, valued at ₹3,000 crore.
Housing Support to Thousands of Beneficiaries
In the housing sector, Modi distributed the first instalment under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U) to over 53,600 beneficiaries and handed over keys to selected families during a symbolic Grih Pravesh for more than 6,600 newly constructed homes.
