Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched multiple development projects worth approximately Rs 13,000 crore in Bihar on Friday, August 22, 2025, with a major focus on enhancing connectivity, power infrastructure, health, and urban development in the region.
A key highlight of the inaugurations was the Aunta-Simaria bridge over the Ganga River. This 8.15 km project, which includes a 1.86 km six-lane bridge on NH-31, was constructed at a cost of over Rs 1,870 crore. The bridge is expected to provide direct connectivity between Mokama in Patna district and Begusarai, significantly reducing travel distances for heavy vehicles by eliminating detours of over 100 km. The bridge runs parallel to the old, dilapidated two-lane rail-cum-road bridge, Rajendra Setu. A senior official mentioned that the Prime Minister was expected to halt for around 30 minutes at Simaria and walk on the newly constructed bridge. The foundation stone for the Aunta-Simaria section of NH-31 was laid on October 14, 2017.
In addition to the Aunta-Simaria bridge, PM Modi inaugurated the four-lane Bakhtiyarpur-Mokama section of NH-31, built at a cost of around Rs 1,900 crore. This project aims to reduce congestion and improve freight movement in the area.
The Prime Minister also launched the Buxar Thermal Power Plant, a 660x1 MW energy project constructed at a cost of Rs 6,880 crore. This power plant is expected to significantly boost the power supply and reliability in the region, strengthening Bihar's energy security.
In the health sector, PM Modi inaugurated the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre in Muzaffarpur.
Furthermore, PM Modi flagged off two new train services: the Amrit Bharat Express between Gaya and Delhi, and the Buddhist Circuit Train between Vaishali and Koderma. He also inaugurated sewerage projects worth over ₹520 crore in Munger under the Namami Gange project and laid the foundation stone for similar works in Daudnagar, Jehanabad, Barahiya, and Jamui, giving a boost to urban development. Additionally, he launched water supply projects under AMRUT 2.0 at Aurangabad, Bodhgaya, and Jehanabad.
Nitin Navin, Bihar's Minister of Road Construction, stated that the bridge would reduce the distance between North and South Bihar and serves as a reminder of the state's progress.
