Nitish Kumar on Friday announced a series of development initiatives in Patna district amounting to nearly ₹1,159.84 crore. One of the key highlights of the programme was the inauguration of Bihar’s first cable suspension bridge, built across the Punpun river and designed on the lines of the Laxman Jhula in Rishikesh. The project, completed at a cost of ₹82.99 crore, was formally opened by the Chief Minister.
A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said that a total of 17 projects were inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid during the event. These included the construction of a bridge and approach road linking Samda and Gularia Vigha villages in Paliganj at ₹19.77 crore, the creation of tourism facilities at the Ular Sun Temple in Paliganj for ₹14.99 crore, and the building of a connecting road from Punpun station through Akona village to the Patna Ring Road at a cost of ₹88 lakh.
Among the other works were a two-lane road to connect Sohagi Mor on the Sadikpur Pabheda Masaurhi route with Kandaap on the Patna Gaya road, as well as the suspension bridge at the Punpun Pinddaan site valued at ₹82 crore.
The package also carried a major focus on strengthening the energy sector. Capacity enhancement of power transformers in eight substations has been approved at a cost of ₹10.20 crore, while reconductoring of 20 new 33 kV lines will require ₹26.02 crore. Construction of 21 additional 33 kV lines is to be taken up with ₹70.31 crore, and transformer upgrades in 18 substations will involve ₹22.99 crore, the release added.
