Bihar

• 04 Mar 2024

PM Unveils Development Projects in Bihar

Why in News?

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled development projects worth ₹ 21,400 crore in Bihar's Aurangabad district.

Key Points

• National highway projects worth over ₹ 18,000 crore were inaugurated.
• The PM laid the foundation stone for a six-lane bridge over the Ganga, which will be constructed parallel to the existing JP (Jayaprakash Narayan) Ganga Setu. Also, the foundation stone of Unity Mall in Patna, which will be constructed at a cost of over ₹ 200 crore, and provide a boost to the 'One District, One Product' project.
• He dedicated to the nation three railway projects, which include the doubling of the Pataliputra-Pahleja line and a 26-km-long new line between Bandhua and Paimar.
• The PM also inaugurated 12 projects worth over 2,190 crore under the Namami Gange scheme.
  • These include sewerage treatment plants in Patna, Sonepur, Naugachia, and Chapra.

One District One Product Initiative

• ODOP is an initiative to boost economic growth at the district level by promoting and branding one product from each district of the country.
• The idea is to leverage the local potential, resources, skills, and culture of each district and create a unique identity for them in the domestic and international markets.
• The concept of ODOP was first launched by the Uttar Pradesh government in January 2018.
  • The scheme was successful in reviving the traditional industries and crafts of the state, such as chikankari embroidery, brassware, pottery, carpets, leather goods, etc.
  • Inspired by it, the central government adopted the concept and launched it as a national initiative.

Namami Gange Scheme

• Namami Gange Programme is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as a ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014 to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.
• It is being operated under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• The program is being implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state counterpart organisations i.e State Program Management Groups (SPMGs).
• NMCG is the implementation wing of National Ganga Council (was set up in 2016; which replaced the National Ganga River Basin Authority - NGRBA).