In a significant boost to infrastructure and healthcare facilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone for the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Darbhanga, Bihar, along with launching various development projects valued at over Rs 12,100 crore. These projects encompass health, road, rail, and clean energy sectors, aiming to improve connectivity, enhance healthcare, and provide accessible clean energy across Bihar.
The AIIMS Darbhanga project, valued at approximately Rs 1,260 crore, will feature a super-speciality hospital with an AYUSH block, medical and nursing colleges, residential facilities, and more. Designed with a capacity of 750 beds, the facility is set to provide advanced medical care not only to Bihar but also to neighbouring states and even Nepal. “This new AIIMS will bring transformative changes in Bihar’s health infrastructure, benefitting residents of Mithila and Tirhut regions,” said PM Modi, adding that the project would also create employment opportunities.
Infrastructure Boost with Road and Rail Projects
A significant portion of the investment will go toward enhancing connectivity in Bihar. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the four-lane Galgalia-Araria section of NH-327E, connecting the East-West Corridor to West Bengal and improving trade and travel routes. Additionally, he inaugurated two rail over-bridges on NH-322 and NH-31 and a major bridge on NH-110 at Bandhuganj, facilitating smoother connectivity between Jehanabad and Biharsharif. Foundation stones were also laid for several other road projects, including the Ramnagar-Rosera section and bypass in Katoria, Lakhpura, Banka, and Panjwara.
Focus on Clean Energy and Affordable Medicines
In line with the government’s push for clean energy, PM Modi laid the foundation for a City Gas Distribution (CGD) network to bring piped natural gas (PNG) to households across five districts, including Darbhanga and Madhubani. Additionally, a bitumen manufacturing unit by the Indian Oil Corporation at Barauni Refinery will reduce reliance on imported bitumen.
In a unique healthcare initiative, PM Modi also inaugurated 18 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras at railway stations across India. These centres will provide affordable medicines to travellers, aiming to reduce healthcare costs while promoting awareness of generic drugs.
Development Path
State Health Minister Mangal Pandey highlighted Bihar’s progress in healthcare, noting, “With AIIMS in Patna and now in Darbhanga, Bihar will have advanced healthcare hubs at both ends. Additionally, Bihar’s largest cancer hospital is under construction and expected to be operational by March 2025.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recounted the long-standing efforts to bring AIIMS to Darbhanga, stating, “The journey began during former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure when the discussion for the Patna AIIMS took place and after years of advocacy, we are finally seeing another AIIMS coming up in Bihar’s Darbhanga. The Darbhanga Medical College will also undergo expansion to ensure quality treatment for local residents.”
PM Modi, in his address, celebrated the projects as milestones in Bihar’s journey toward progress and underscored the government’s comprehensive approach to development. “Today, we are making a historic stride with projects worth over Rs 12,000 crore covering healthcare, connectivity, clean energy, and accessible medicine,” he stated. PM Modi highlighted that these projects are tailored to meet the region’s needs and are aligned with India’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”.
Focusing on AIIMS Darbhanga, PM Modi said: “The establishment of AIIMS Darbhanga will help create a healthier Bihar by providing advanced treatment facilities. Patients from Bihar, West Bengal, and even Nepal will benefit from the transformation of the region into a healthcare hub. This facility, alongside Patna AIIMS and other emerging institutions, reflects our commitment to reducing the rural-urban healthcare divide and ensuring that people from all parts of the country receive quality care close to home.”
Highlighting the government’s holistic healthcare strategy, PM Modi added, “Our approach to healthcare is rooted in five core pillars: ensuring preventive healthcare, providing accurate diagnosis, making quality treatment affordable, improving healthcare accessibility in small towns, and integrating technology for better outcomes. Our initiatives, such as establishing Ayushman Bharat Arogya Kendras across India, are helping diagnose conditions like diabetes and cancer at early stages. More than four crore people have already benefited from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, receiving treatment not only in government hospitals but in private institutions as well.”
In addition to healthcare, PM Modi discussed the broader infrastructural advancements in the state saying: “Today, Bihar is recognized for its extensive infrastructure development. Through the UDAN scheme, air connectivity has been established, with direct flights now available to Delhi and Mumbai, and soon, air travel will extend to Ranchi. Additionally, ongoing expressway projects worth over Rs 5,000 crore and the city gas distribution network are set to provide affordable energy. These developments are not only enhancing connectivity but also creating significant employment opportunities across the state.”
The Prime Minister’s statement underscored the vision of a stronger, healthier, and more connected Bihar, aligning with the central government’s overall mission to foster regional growth and upliftment through targeted, sustainable development initiatives.
