Patna: The state cabinet on Wednesday approved the govt’s proposal to establish a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) linking Patna with Gaya, Begusarai, Hajipur, Sonepur, Muzaffarpur and Ara to facilitate faster movement of passengers through four corridors on the pattern of the National Capital Region (NCR), Delhi. It also approved a proposal to set up a corporation to create infrastructure and strengthen the state’s fisheries sector. Overall, the cabinet cleared 22 proposals.In connection with the four corridors originating from Patna, the cabinet approved the urban development and housing department’s (UDHD) proposal to nominate the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) as the agency to prepare the Alternative Analysis Report (AAR) and Detailed Project Report (DPR). The NCRTC will be paid Rs31.59 crore for the work, cabinet secretariat department additional chief secretary Arvind Kumar Choudhary said.The four proposed corridors are Patna-Gaya, Patna-Begusarai, Patna-Hajipur-Sonepur-Muzaffarpur and Patna-Ara.Later, UDHD minister Nitish Mishra said, “It is an important initiative taken by the govt to develop a modern, fast and integrated regional transport system in the state, as Patna and the adjoining regions are witnessing rapid urbanisation, a consistent increase in the number of commuters and growing economic activity. It would also promote the development of satellite townships.”Mishra said the proposal had been prepared on the basis of the concept note provided by the Union ministry concerned. The govt chose NCRTC because of its proven experience in implementing the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor.The cabinet also approved the dairy, fisheries and animal resources department’s proposal to constitute the Bihar Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (BAIDCL) to promote the planned development of the state’s fisheries sector. The proposed infrastructure includes fish hatcheries, fish farms, feed mills, cold chains, ice plants, fish markets and processing units. The aim is to attract private investment for infrastructure creation.The cabinet also approved the proposal to nominate the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) Advisory Foundation of CEPT University, Ahmedabad, as the agency to guide the planned development of 12 proposed greenfield satellite townships and provide technical assistance. The agency will provide strategic guidance in policy formulation, planning and execution of projects, besides strengthening institutional mechanisms, programme coordination and monitoring.The cabinet also approved land purchase and acquisition for the expansion of the core areas of the proposed Patliputra (Patna) and Tirhut (Muzaffarpur) greenfield townships, as well as for creating basic infrastructure and other facilities in and around the Patliputra, Hariharnathpur (Sonepur), Magadh (Gaya) and Tirhut (Muzaffarpur) townships.The cabinet also approved a proposal to set up grid-connected rooftop solar power plants on govt buildings to generate 500 MW under the Renewable Energy Services Company (RESCO) mode between 2025-26 and 2029-30 with private sector participation. The electricity generated will be fed into the grids of the state’s two power distribution companies under power purchase agreements.The cabinet also extended the Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana till 2030-31. Under the scheme, unemployed youths aged 20-25 years who have passed Class XII or are graduates receive an allowance of Rs1,000 per month for two years while seeking employment.The cabinet also sanctioned Rs126.26 crore for repair of the damaged Vikramshila bridge over the Ganga river at Bhagalpur. The amount will be used for construction of a Bailey bridge, installation of a new suspended slab and overall repair of the bridge after a slab collapsed on May 3 this year.
