As Bihar strengthens its infrastructure and undertakes reforms, it is poised to become a hub of economic activity and innovation
A year ago, when the Adani Group decided to invest Rs. 8,700 crore in Bihar, it attracted the attention of investors from all over the country. The bureaucracy of Bihar, supporting the Nitish government, has made development and investment its campaign. Why can't entrepreneurs come here? The credit goes to the officers who returned from central deputation in Delhi. Additionally, Nitish Kumar, the head of the current NDA government in Bihar, strengthened his political connections. In Delhi, many JDU MPs became influential in the power corridors, such as Lallan Singh and Sanjay Jha, whose responsibilities increased. Bihar has successfully convinced the Center, resulting in several policy changes in energy and industry. As a result, Bihar is becoming self-sufficient in energy, a development appreciated in other BJP-ruled states.
Similarly, the process of identifying and allocating land for industry has begun, and naturally, investors have started project reconnaissance. This seems to be a turning point.In tourism, officials started working tirelessly to provide important information, and selfie points began to be established at tourist locations. Consequently, groups like Mayfair Hotel opened Bihar's first five-star hotel in Purnia. This new initiative led to proposals worth about Rs.10,000 crores in the field of food processing at the Bihar Investors Meet. However, Bihar's misfortune has been that although proposals came in, investors did not follow through in proportion.
But now, the situation is changing. A cursory glance shows that Bihar is an agriculture-based state. The state's agriculture roadmap discusses processing units for various crops like fruits, vegetables, grains, and makhana. Especially, products of litchi, mango, guava, banana, makhana, potato, and tomato have been the main focus. Many investors showed interest, but most left projects incomplete. Currently, according to the Chamber, 15 companies are interested in food processing and have expressed a desire to invest about Rs10,304 crores. Companies like Godrej, Anmol Foods, and Bangladesh's Pride Food are also showing interest.
Prime Minister Modi has appointed Bihar's young minister Chirag Paswan and experienced minister Giriraj Singh in these ministries with great expectations. Bhagalpuri silk has now entered the international market for the textile industry in Bihar. Additionally, many units related to handloom and khadi clothes are working on a very small scale in Bihar. Until now, investors were unaware of Bihar's cottage industry potential. The responsibility for expanding this sector lies with senior leader and MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. The climate here is also suitable for the textile industry. The government has 44 old proposals regarding textile, leather, and food processing that need to be brought to Bihar.
In the past, many reasons hindered industrial growth in Bihar. Law and order problems were discouraging, but now better electricity and roads are attracting everyone. Today, India is the third-largest domestic civil aviation market in the world after China and America. Some states like Bihar lagged in aviation due to political differences, but the Bihar government is now gearing up for aviation infrastructure. In the proposed aviation plan for Bihar, apart from the Greenfield Airport in Bhagalpur and Rajgir, a Flying Training Academy in Begusarai, small cities of Bihar are also included. Existing airstrips in Saharsa, Munger, Birpur, Valmiki Nagar, Chhapra, Madhubani, Kishanganj, and Dalmianagar will be renovated and upgraded. In the Kosi area, many highway constructions are underway. The day is not far when, Bihar transforms into a developed state but it depends on preferential treatment the state gets in Union Budget.
(The writer is senior journalist; views are personal)
