Bihar Seeks ₹18,000 Crore at NITI Aayog Meet, Unveils 2047 Roadmap
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary at the Niti Aayog meeting in New Delhi. (Image Choudhary on X)
By AMIT KUMAR
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary highlights gains in education, skilling, industry, energy and agriculture, while seeking central support for IISER, NIFTEM, sports infrastructure, tourism projects and water schemes.
Patna, June 12, 2026 — Bihar presented an ambitious roadmap for inclusive human development and economic transformation at the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary asserting that the state is no longer merely participating in India’s growth story but is emerging as a “transformative force” in the journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
Addressing the council, Choudhary outlined Bihar’s achievements across education, skilling, agriculture, tourism, energy and industrial development while seeking substantial financial and institutional support from the Centre for key projects.
In the education sector, Bihar reported significant progress in early childhood care and schooling. Of the state’s 11,529 sanctioned Anganwadi centres, nutrition gardens have been established in 10,579 centres. Nearly 70 percent of the 40.28 lakh enrolled children aged 3-6 years have been issued APAAR IDs. The state also highlighted that 91 percent of its 76,202 government schools now have internet connectivity and more than 9,000 smart classrooms are operational.
On skill development, Choudhary said over 1.18 lakh artisans have been trained under the PM Vishwakarma scheme. Bihar is establishing the Aryabhatta International Skill Hub in Patna at a cost of ₹640 crore and has proposed ₹3,615 crore for strengthening 75 Industrial Training Institutes under PM-SETU. The state requested ₹750 crore support for the Integrated Scheme in Skilling Architecture pilot project, ₹1,500 crore for Jananayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University and assistance for setting up a National Skill Training Institute in Bhagalpur.
The state also sought central assistance for establishing an Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) and a regional branch of the School of Planning and Architecture in Bihar.
Highlighting sports infrastructure, Choudhary noted Bihar’s successful hosting of international events, including the Asian Hockey Championships and Asian Rugby Championship, and sought support to host the National Youth Games in 2028, the Hockey World Cup in 2030 and the National Games in 2031.
In agriculture, Bihar showcased progress under the Agri Stack initiative, with unique IDs being issued to farmers. The state urged the Centre to establish a Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, approve a National Makhana Board office and expedite the establishment of the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM).
Tourism emerged as another major focus area. Under the “One State, One Global Destination” initiative, Bihar aims to develop Gaya, including Bodh Gaya, into a global spiritual and cultural hub. The state is pursuing integrated development of the Vishnupad Corridor, Mahabodhi Corridor and the Rajgir-Nalanda-Bodh Gaya circuit, while seeking enhanced international air connectivity.
On economic development, Choudhary highlighted Bihar’s leadership under the Lakhpati Didi initiative, with 48.3 lakh women beneficiaries, the highest in the country. He also sought central support for a regional National Institute of Design centre and allocation of ten plug-and-play industrial parks under the BHAVYA industrial development scheme.
The state reported rapid industrial expansion, including approval of 14,037 acres of new industrial land and private investment exceeding ₹1 lakh crore over the past two years in energy, roads and manufacturing sectors. Bihar has also unveiled new semiconductor, AI and Global Capability Centre policies to attract next-generation industries.
In the energy sector, Bihar pointed to the ongoing 2,400-MW thermal power project at Pirpainti in Bhagalpur and the establishment of the country’s largest battery-based solar power plant at Kajra in Lakhisarai. The state has committed to installing nearly 10 lakh rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Choudhary made a special request for ₹18,000 crore from the Centre, including ₹13,000 crore as reimbursement for expenditure incurred under the Jal Jeevan Mission-linked Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal programme and ₹5,000 crore for ongoing water infrastructure projects.
The presentation positioned Bihar as a state seeking to leverage demographic strength, infrastructure investments and institutional support to emerge as a key contributor to India’s long-term development ambitions.
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