PM Modi heaps praise on Bihar, says none can match Nitish Kumar

PATNA: PM Narendra Modi said the Rs903 crore worth of the natural gas pipeline and LPG bottling plant projects he inaugurated on Sunday would propel the country’s eastern region, including Bihar, on to the path of accelerated development.
He also said there was no alternative to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar in the state, as he had unfolded its turnaround story in the last 15 years and was best placed to take it further forward in coordination with the Centre.
Thereby, the PM made it amply clear that the NDA comprising BJP, JDU) and LJP, as well as Hindustani Awam Morcha (S) led by former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi would present a seamless combine.
The PM, through videoconferencing, inaugurated the 193km-long Durgapur-Banka natural gas pipeline laid in the last 17 months despite challenges posed by forests and hilly tracts, at the cost of Rs630 crore. He also inaugurated LPG bottling plants at Banka and Harsidhi in East Champaran, each with a capacity to produce 40,000 gas cylinders daily. Both involved an expenditure of Rs273 crore. The LPG cylinders produced would be distributed in 14 districts of Bihar and also in the adjoining districts of Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.
“Bihar has also got an IIT, IIIT, national law university and other educational, medical and engineering institutes under Nitish’s leadership. The state also got two central universities after his persistent efforts,” Modi said.
“Bihar is a powerhouse of talent. Think of any institution in the country, they all teem with the presence of Bihari talent,” he said, adding they put in “labour, talent, skill and dedication” in whatever work they do.
The PM pointed out that Bihar was once counted only for its workforce, as a result of which its developmental aspirations were ignored by the previous dispensations. “Today, the towns and villages are power connected and laying of the gas pipeline, along with the CNG supply, will bring modern infrastructure to the state,” he said.
“The biggest natural gas pipeline from Paradeep in Odisha to Kandla in Gujarat will pass through seven states. It will link Bihar and the eastern region with the developed western states,” he said.
Modi said it would also lead to the revival of the fertilizers plant and crude oil refinery at Barauni (Begusarai), besides helping in bringing about other gas-based industries. Further, he said the natural gas pipeline and the two bottling plants were part of the Rs1.25 lakh crore package he had announced in 2015.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Nitish said, “Bihar today is seen as a state where development has taken place. It will be transformed into a developed state.”
Earlier, Union natural gas and petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan and deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi made detailed statistical presentation of the benefits that had accrued to the people, including women, with LPG connections in the urban and rural households.