Patna, Jan 24 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, during his Samriddhi Yatra on Saturday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 128 development projects worth Rs 152 crore in Vaishali district.
At a programme held at the Panapur Baba Bateshwar Nath Dham complex, the Chief Minister unveiled foundation plaques through remote control and laid foundation stones for 25 projects worth Rs 54 crore, while inaugurating 103 completed projects worth Rs 98 crore for Vaishali district.
During the visit, Kumar reviewed various development works in the district. He conducted a spot inspection of the desilting work of the Vaya River under Mahua block.
The officials accompanying Kumar, briefed him on the progress and current status of the desilting work. The Chief Minister was also informed about the implementation of departmental schemes announced during the Pragati Yatra, including work related to bringing water into Bareila Lake and drainage during high water levels, identification of 1,243.45 acres of land for proposed new industrial areas in Jandaha, Rajapakar and Mahua under the Chief Minister’s Saat Nischay-3 programme, and the establishment of a grid sub-station in Mahua block, along with other development projects.
As it is, the Vaya River originates from the confluence of the Raghava River and Meghula (Samahoti) River near Mundamal village in Kesaria block of East Champaran district. It is a seasonal river with a total length of 212.80 kilometres, flowing through East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali and Samastipur districts before merging with the Ganga River near Chakia village in Teghra block of Begusarai district. In Vaishali district, the Vaya River passes through eight blocks covering a length of 93.116 kilometres. It serves as the main drainage channel of the district. The cleaning of the riverbed within Vaishali district has been completed, which is expected to increase water flow, reduce flood risk, and improve the river’s hydraulic performance.
The Bareila Wetland, located near Bareila village in Vaishali district , is surrounded by eight villages. Under the proposed project, a 7.12-kilometre-long channel is being constructed from the six-kilometre point of the Jandaha distributary to store water in Bareila Lake and provide for drainage of excess water into the Nun River through an outlet.
The Bareila Wetland holds significant ecological importance, providing ecosystem services such as flood control, groundwater recharge, fisheries, and aesthetic value to local communities. The Bihar government has notified Bareila Lake as the Salim Ali Jubba Sahni Bird Sanctuary. The wetland enjoys global recognition as an important habitat for migratory water birds and provides shelter to several conservation-important species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Later, the Chief Minister inspected the Government Medical College, Mahua.
During the inspection, Kumar reviewed the medical services and facilities available in the emergency ward, OPD registration, ICU, patient wards and medicine distribution centre. Kumar said that medical services have been arranged efficiently, which will benefit local residents. He directed officials to ensure that patients coming for treatment do not face any inconvenience.
He also visited stalls related to local startups and innovation set up in the campus of the Government Medical College, Mahua. On the occasion, the Chief Minister presented a symbolic cheque of Rs 1.01 billion to 5,314 self-help groups.
