"Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur is honour for entire Bihar": PM Modi

Aurangabad (Bihar) [India], March 2 : Lauding the annoucement of the country's highest civilian award--Bharat Ratna-- to former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this honour belongs to the entire Bihar.
"My arrival in Bihar is special in many aspects. A few days ago, the country honoured the pride of Bihar, Karpoori Thakurji, with the Bharat Ratna. This is the honour for the entire Bihar," said the Prime Minister while addressing a public gathering in Bihar's Aurangabad.
Ram Lalla has been enshrined in the temple, it is natural that the celebrations will be held in the birthplace of Maa Sita, which is Bihar."
PM Modi further said, "A new chapter towards develpopment of Bihar is being etched in Aurangabad. Today, projects worth 21,000 crores were inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of. These projects include those related to road infrastructure, rail infrastructure and also, it comprises of a glimpse of modern Bihar."
"Today, the foundation stones of Amas-Darbhanga four-lane corridor, a four-lane road connecting Danapur and Bihta; and a section of Sherpur-Digwara were laid," he added.
PM Modi, who is on a visit to Bihar, inaigurated and laid the foundation stones of projects worth Rs 21,400 crores.
Strengthening the National Highways network in the state, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several National Highway projects worth more than Rs 18,100 crores.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the six lane bridge across River Ganga that will be developed as a part of Patna Ring Road. This bridge will be one of the longest river bridges in the country.
PM Modi also inaugurated twelve projects under Namami Gange in Bihar that have been developed at a cost of about Rs 2,190 crore. The projects include Sewage Treatment Plant at Saidpur & Pahari; Sewerage Network for Saidpur, Beur, Pahari Zone IVA; Sewerage system with Sewer network at Karmalichak; Sewerage scheme at Pahari Zone V; and Interception, Diversion and Sewage Treatment Plant at Barh, Chhapra, Naugachia, Sultanganj and Sonepur town.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said, "A new chapter of Bihar's development is being written today on the land of Aurangabad which has given birth to many freedom fighters and great personalities such as Bihar Vibhuti Shri Anugrah Narayan."
He said that projects worth about Rs 21,500 crores are being inaugurated or foundation stones are being laid including sectors of road and rail that provide a glimpse of a modern Bihar.
Mentioning the foundation stone laying of Amas-Darbhanga four lane corridor, Danapur-Bihta four lane elevated road and Sherpur-Dighwara Phase of Patna Ring Road, the Prime Minister said that it is the present government's identity to also complete the projects on time and dedicate to the nation.
"This is Modi's guarantee", the Prime Minister said, as he highlighted laying the foundation stone for Ara Bye Pass rail line and twelve projects under Namami Gange program.
The Prime Minister underlined that the people of Bihar, especially the citizens of Aurangabad are eagerly waiting for the Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway as it will reduce travel time to UP and Kolkata to a few hours. The Prime Minister highlighted the present government's style of working and congratulated the people of Bihar for the development projects of today.
Mentioning the resumption of double-engine government in the state, the Prime Minister said that today Bihar is full of enthusiasm and self-confidence. The Prime Minister also commented on the marginalization of dynasty politics in Bihar.
Pointing to the scale of the development projects in just one day, the Prime Minister said, "This is an indication of the speed of change under the double-engine government."
He said that the road projects will change the picture of cities like Patna, Nalanda, Jahanabad, Gaya, Vaishali, Samastipur and Darbhanga. Similarly, places of tourist interest at Bodhgaya, Vishnupad, Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, and Pavapuri. Upcoming Darbhanga Airport and Bihta airports will also be connected with this road infrastructure.
Reflecting on the turnaround of possibilities for the tourism sector of Bihar, the Prime Minister mentioned the flagging off of modernized trains like Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat, and the development of Amrit Bharat Stations.
PM Modi also looked back on the days of growing insecurity among the citizens leading to the migration of youth, and highlighted, "today's era where youth are being trained under skill development programs."
PM Modi also mentioned laying the foundation stone for Ekta Mall worth about Rs 200 crores to promote handicrafts from Bihar and said that it signifies a new direction and positive thinking for the state. "We won't let Bihar slip back into old times. This is a guarantee", the Prime Minister said.