THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Gaya, August 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, launched and laid the foundation for a series of development initiatives worth nearly ₹13,000 crore in Gaya, Bihar, spanning power, infrastructure, healthcare, and urban development.
Highlighting the cultural significance of the region, Modi said the people’s long-standing wish to address the city as “Gaya ji” reflects its deep spiritual and historical importance, and he praised the Bihar Government for respecting this sentiment.
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Among the key projects inaugurated was the 8.15 km Aunta–Simaria stretch on NH-31, which includes a 1.86 km six-lane bridge across the Ganga, built at a cost of ₹1,870 crore. Modi underlined that this bridge will provide direct connectivity between North and South Bihar, eliminating the need for heavy vehicles to take a 150-kilometre detour via Gandhi Setu.
The Prime Minister also opened the four-lane Bakhtiyarpur–Mokama highway section costing ₹1,900 crore, and dedicated the ₹6,880 crore Buxar Thermal Power Plant with 660 MW capacity to the nation. He further announced plans for a new thermal project in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, recalling his earlier role in laying the foundation stone for the Nabinagar Super Thermal Plant in Aurangabad.
On the railway front, Modi flagged off the Amrit Bharat Express between Gaya and Delhi, as well as a Buddhist Circuit train from Vaishali to Koderma, while noting that Gaya station is being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
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Taking a swipe at previous governments, the Prime Minister said delays and corruption once plagued major projects, but his government has worked to ensure timely delivery. “The Aunta–Simaria section is an example — I had laid its foundation, and today I am inaugurating it myself,” he remarked.
The event was attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, alongside Union and state ministers.
