PM Modi to Kickstart ₹12,000 Cr Development Drive in Bihar & Bengal

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch a slew of development initiatives across Bihar and West Bengal on Friday, with projects collectively valued at over ₹12,000 crore. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the unveiling will be accompanied by a public address in both states, marking a significant push for infrastructure and sectoral growth ahead of the 2025 electoral calendar.

In Bihar, the Prime Minister will visit Motihari, a key city in East Champaran district, where he will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for projects worth ₹7,200 crore. These cover critical sectors including railways, road construction, rural development, fisheries, electronics, and information technology.

Officials from the PMO said that the emphasis is on multi-sectoral growth that will improve connectivity, enhance employment opportunities, and modernize infrastructure in one of India’s most populous yet underserved states.

Among the major initiatives in Bihar are upgrades to key railway lines, new rural road networks under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and IT infrastructure projects aimed at bolstering digital governance and local employment. Fisheries-related schemes, including cold chain facilities and training centers, are also part of the rollout to boost agrarian income.

In West Bengal, development initiatives exceeding ₹5,000 crore will be launched. While the exact locations are yet to be confirmed, sources indicate projects will include expansion of highways, urban housing initiatives, and digitization drives under the Digital India programme.

The Prime Minister’s public meetings in both states are expected to underline the government’s continued commitment to balanced regional development and infrastructure-led growth. With both states being politically significant and set for electoral battles in the near future, the rollout of mega-projects is also being seen as a strategic move.

“From building new roads to laying digital foundations, these projects reflect our vision of a developed East India. Bihar and Bengal are central to India’s growth story,” PM Modi said in a brief video message shared on social media ahead of the visit.

Observers believe the development blitz could have significant political impact, especially in Bihar, where Assembly elections are due next year. Modi’s presence in Motihari also carries symbolic value, as the city is historically linked to Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran Satyagraha and has long been considered a politically important location.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leaders in both states are mobilizing support for Friday’s public events, with expectations of strong attendance, particularly in Bihar where political temperatures are rising following rival announcements by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav.