Bihar

Patna:In an effort to strengthen its organisational structure and connect with young and skilled professionals, the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) has launched a ‘Talent Hunt Programme’ to recruit new faces for key roles within the party. The initiative aims to build a strong team of spokespersons, publicity coordinators and researchers across the state. Announcing the programme on Monday, Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram said that a dedicated selection panel has been constituted to identify suitable candidates in a transparent and merit-based manner. “Any individual who believes in the ideology of the Congress party and remains connected with the common people can participate in this programme. The selection process will be fair and transparent,” Rajesh Ram said. Focu...

Patna, Feb 2:The Bihar Assembly’s Budget Session commenced on Monday with the Governor Arif Mohammad Khan’s address, highlighting the state government’s ambitious plans for economic growth, employment generation, and social development over the next five years. The address received mixed reactions, with the ruling NDA lauding it as forward-looking, while opposition parties raised critiques. Governor Khan outlined the government’s target to double Bihar’s per capita income by 2030 and emphasized the goal of creating one crore jobs, doubling current employment and livelihood opportunities from 50 lakh to one crore. He said these targets align with the “Double Employment, Double Income” vision, reflecting the government’s long-term developmental strategy. Reacting to the Governor’s addr...

Patna: The Bihar Assembly’s budget session commenced on Monday with the Governor’s address, triggering a sharp response from the opposition. Governor Arif Mohammad Khan addressed the joint session of the Assembly and Legislative Council, outlining the government’s priorities and future development plans. However, RJD leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, criticized the Nitish Kumar government, dismissing the Governor’s speech as a mere formality scripted by the administration. “The speech reflects what the government wants to project, but ground realities are entirely different,” Tejashwi said. The state’s budget for the financial year 2026-27 is scheduled to be presented on Tuesday, February 3. Governor Highlights Development and Welfare InitiativesGoverno...

Patna: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the 2026–27 budget the construction of the Varanasi–Siliguri high-speed rail corridor, which will pass through Bihar’s Buxar, Ara, Patna, Katihar, and Kishanganj districts. Experts predict the project will significantly boost land prices in these areas. Boosting Bihar’s Connectivity The proposed rail corridor, spanning 700 km, will connect Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Siliguri in West Bengal, with a large portion running through Bihar. This high-speed rail link will improve passenger travel, reduce transit time, and accelerate freight movement across the region. Trains on this corridor are expected to reach speeds of up to 300 km/h. This project is part of a larger national plan announced by the Finance Minister to bui...

Patna: Bihar’s railway infrastructure is set for a major transformation. The central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a massive investment plan to elevate the state’s railway network. The latest budget allocates substantial funds for new rail lines, terminal construction, and modernization of existing stations. Under this initiative, a third and fourth line will be constructed between Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (DDU) and Jhajha at a cost of ₹17,000 crore. This expansion will enhance train speed and reduce congestion on the busy Delhi–Howrah route. Modern Terminal for Patna A new railway terminal is coming up at Harding Park, Patna, with an allocation of ₹500 crore. Once operational, it will ease pressure on Patna Junction and provide world-class facilitie...

Patna:The Bihar Assembly’s budget session commenced on Monday, 2 February 2026, with Governor Arif Mohammad Khan delivering his address in the Central Hall. The session saw a dramatic start as Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav attended despite a leg injury, arriving in a wheelchair—a move that drew attention and support from his party members. A video circulating on social media shows Tejashwi Yadav being assisted by fellow legislators and security personnel as his wheelchair is pushed into the Assembly. At certain steps, police officers lifted him along with the wheelchair to ensure his entry. Speaking about his injury, Tejashwi mentioned, “My toenail came off. Such things sometimes happen.” His presence in the House, despite the health setback, is seen as a morale booster for th...

Patna:Patna residents can now turn their old, unused electronic items into cash. The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a new initiative to purchase old laptops, mobile phones, air conditioners, refrigerators, and other household electronic waste to promote proper e-waste management and protect the environment. Officials from PMC said the move aims to prevent the hazardous effects of improper disposal of e-waste, which contains harmful elements like lead, mercury, and cadmium that can pollute soil, water, and air. Under the initiative, collected e-waste will be sent to authorised recycling agencies rather than being discarded with regular household trash. Rates for Electronic Items The Municipal Corporation has fixed attractive rates based on the category of electronic...

Patna:Long before traffic jams turned the Mahatma Gandhi Setu into a daily ordeal, the Ganga river itself served as Bihar’s most reliable highway. For decades, river transport was not just an alternative but the backbone connecting North and South Bihar—making journeys smoother, cheaper, and often more pleasant than today’s congested road travel. The relevance of this forgotten legacy has resurfaced with the Union Budget 2026 announcement of a Ship Repair Centre in Patna, aimed at reviving inland water transport and boosting trade and commerce in Bihar. The move evokes memories of a time when Patna stood as a major hub of river navigation. Until the construction of the Mahatma Gandhi Setu in 1982, steamers and river vessels on the Ganga were the primary mode of transport linking Patn...

Begusarai:The first day of the Bihar Intermediate Examination 2026 witnessed chaos at an examination centre in Begusarai, where several late-arriving students created a ruckus after being denied entry. The situation escalated when students attempted to forcibly enter the centre by climbing over and damaging the main gate, prompting police to resort to a baton charge to control the crowd. According to officials, the first shift of the examination was scheduled to begin at 9:30 am, with strict instructions that candidates must enter the examination centre before 9:00 am. Students who arrived within the stipulated time were allowed entry without issue. However, around a dozen candidates who reached the centre after the deadline found the gates locked. Angered by the denial of entry, the...