Patna: CM Nitish Kumar on Monday launched development projects worth more than Rs 405 crore in Jehanabad and Arwal districts during his ongoing ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ and asked officials concerned to ensure speedy completion of all sanctioned works.In Jehanabad, the CM inaugurated 88 projects worth Rs 70 crore and laid the foundation stone for 73 more projects estimated at Rs 182 crore. In neighbouring Arwal district, he inaugurated 250 projects worth around Rs 90 crore and laid the foundation stones for 22 new projects with an estimated cost of Rs 63 crore.Addressing a ‘Jan Samvad’ programme at Gandhi Maidan in Jehanabad, Nitish Kumar said the district had witnessed major changes over the past two decades under the NDA govt. He contrasted the current development with the situation before 2005, saying the previous regime had failed to improve basic infrastructure and public services.He said roads in and around Jehanabad were once in poor condition, making travel from Patna and movement within the district difficult and time-consuming. Electricity supply was also weak across the district. Since 2005, he said, his govt had focused on improving connectivity, education, healthcare and public infrastructure.Highlighting key achievements, the chief minister said the Patna-Jehanabad-Gaya road had been widened to four lanes and the Jehanabad-Rajgir road had been constructed. He added that three major district roads had also been widened and upgraded. In the education sector, he said an engineering college, a polytechnic institute, a women’s ITI and ITIs in all subdivisions had been established. He also cited the setting up of a GNM institute, a paramedical institute, Karpoori hostel and two residential schools. Tourist facilities at the Barabar hills have also been developed, he said.Nitish Kumar said that during his ‘Pragati Yatra’ between December 2024 and January-February 2025, he had visited all districts, reviewed development works and approved plans to address gaps. He said six projects were sanctioned for Jehanabad during that exercise and work on them was progressing.He said a medical college and hospital is under construction in Jehanabad, along with a road overbridge at Raja Bazaar, new city roads, development works around the Barabar caves, a sports complex and four new block-cum-circle office buildings.Under the ‘Saat Nishchay-3’ programme for 2025-2030, he announced plans to establish model schools and degree colleges in all seven blocks, upgrade all seven community health centres into specialty hospitals and turn Jehanabad Sadar Hospital into a super-specialty hospital. A Centre of Excellence for sports will also be set up in the district, he said.
