PM Modi to Inaugurate Purnea Airport and Projects Worth ₹36,000 Crore in Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to electrify Purnea district in Bihar with a high-profile visit, addressing a massive rally and launching development projects worth a staggering Rs 36,000 crore. The visit, timed strategically ahead of the state’s upcoming assembly elections, underscores the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) focus on Bihar’s growth, with key initiatives like the inauguration of a new airport terminal and the National Makhana Board poised to transform the region’s connectivity and agricultural economy.

A centerpiece of the visit is the opening of Purnea’s newly developed airport terminal, fulfilling a decades-long demand for enhanced air connectivity in north Bihar. The facility, set to become Bihar’s fourth operational commercial airport after Patna, Gaya, and Darbhanga, will boost passenger handling capacity and connect the Seemanchal region—including Purnea, Kishanganj, Araria, and Katihar—to major metro cities. This development is expected to spur economic activity and tourism in the historically underserved area.

Another highlight is the launch of the National Makhana Board, announced in the Union Budget 2025, aimed at revolutionizing the makhana (Indian foxnut) industry. Bihar, which accounts for nearly 90% of India’s makhana production, stands to gain significantly from this initiative. In a post on X, Modi emphasized, “Makhana and Bihar have a very strong link. From Purnea tomorrow, the National Makhana Board will be launched. This will benefit several farmers associated with the sector.” The board will drive advancements in production, post-harvest management, value addition, and global market expansion, empowering farmers in key districts like Madhubani, Darbhanga, and Purnea.

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The visit also includes laying the foundation for a Rs 25,000-crore 3x800 MW thermal power project in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, and Phase 1 of the Kosi-Mechi Intra-State River Link Project worth Rs 2,680 crore, aimed at improving irrigation and flood control. Rail connectivity will see a boost with the Araria-Galgalia rail line (Rs 4,410 crore) and the Bikramshila-Katareah rail line (Rs 2,170 crore), alongside the flagging off of trains like the Jogbani-Danapur Vande Bharat Express and two Amrit Bharat Express trains. Modi will also participate in Griha Pravesh ceremonies for over 40,000 PMAY beneficiaries and distribute Rs 500 crore to women’s self-help groups under DAY-NRLM, reinforcing rural development and women’s empowerment.

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, a senior BJP leader, hailed Modi’s commitment, stating, “In his 11 years, Modi has gifted Bihar projects worth Rs 1.50 lakh crore. Tomorrow’s bonanza will further showcase the benefits of a double-engine government.” With state elections looming, the NDA is banking on these initiatives to solidify its hold against the opposition’s grand alliance.

However, the visit has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav, who conducted a “surprise inspection” of Purnea’s Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Saturday. Sharing an eight-minute video on X, Yadav slammed the “double-engine government” for neglecting healthcare infrastructure. “The GMCH, built at a cost of hundreds of crores, lacks an ICU, trauma center, or qualified cardiologist. Patients, including children, lie in the open, vulnerable to infections like dengue,” he alleged, urging Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to visit the facility and witness its “stark failures.”

Security has been tightened in Purnea, with vehicular movement on national and state highways suspended for 24 hours from midnight Sunday to ensure a smooth visit. As Modi’s rally promises to draw massive crowds, the contrasting narratives of development and critique set the stage for a charged political atmosphere in Bihar.

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