The day began with a solemn moment of silence led by the Prime Minister to honor the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 tourists lost their lives. Modi urged the nation to pay homage to those affected, reflecting a unified stance against terrorism. This visit came amid heightened security measures across Bihar, especially near the India-Nepal border, due to concerns over sleeper cells of separatist and terrorist groups in the region.
Addressing the public in Madhubani, PM Modi highlighted Bihar’s historical importance as the land where Mahatma Gandhi expanded the philosophy of ‘satyagraha.’ Modi emphasized that India’s true development is rooted in the progress of its villages, aligning with the spirit of Panchayati Raj. “Today, on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day, the entire country is connected with Mithila and Bihar,” he said, stressing the importance of grassroots governance and rural empowerment.
The Prime Minister inaugurated key projects across sectors including power, railways, and infrastructure. Notably, he laid the foundation stone for an LPG bottling plant with a rail unloading facility in Hathua, Gopalganj district, valued at ₹340 crore, aimed at streamlining LPG supply chains in Bihar. In the power sector, projects worth over ₹1,170 crore were initiated, while projects worth more than ₹5,030 crore were inaugurated under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, boosting electricity access and reliability in the state.
Rail connectivity in Bihar received a major boost with the flagging off of four new train services. These included the Amrit Bharat Express between Saharsa and Mumbai, the fully air-conditioned Namo Bharat Rapid Rail between Jaynagar and Patna, and new train routes connecting Pipra to Saharsa and Saharsa to Samastipur. Modi also inaugurated the Supaul-Pipra and Hasanpur-Bithan rail lines, two two-lane rail over bridges at Chapra and Bagaha, and dedicated the Khagaria-Alauli rail line to the nation. These projects are expected to enhance regional connectivity and spur economic growth.
In addition to infrastructure, Modi focused on social welfare schemes. He distributed benefits worth ₹930 crore to over 2 lakh Self-Help Groups under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). He also handed over sanction letters to 15 lakh new beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) and released installments to 10 lakh beneficiaries nationwide. Keys were handed over to 1 lakh PMAY-G and 54,000 PMAY-Urban (PMAY-U) house beneficiaries in Bihar, symbolizing the government’s push for affordable housing.
The Prime Minister’s visit was accompanied by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and other officials, highlighting the collaborative effort to accelerate Bihar’s development. Modi reiterated that the last decade has been transformative for India’s infrastructure, with millions gaining access to tap water, electricity, and clean cooking fuel. He said these modern amenities are the foundation of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).
In summary, PM Modi’s Bihar visit on National Panchayati Raj Day was a blend of tribute, development, and security assurance. By inaugurating projects worth thousands of crores and enhancing connectivity, Modi aimed to strengthen Bihar’s infrastructure and rural economy while addressing current security challenges head-on. This visit not only celebrated Panchayati Raj but also reinforced the government’s vision of inclusive and resilient growth for Bihar and India as a whole.
