Nitish Kumar Launches ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ from West Champaran, Unveils Rs182-Crore Projects

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday launched the ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ (Prosperity Tour) from Bettiah in West Champaran district, marking his 16th statewide tour as Chief Minister since assuming office in 2005, and his first such tour after taking oath for a record tenth term.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for 125 development projects worth Rs153 crore to accelerate the district’s overall development, and also inaugurated 36 completed projects costing Rs29 crore.

Addressing a gathering in Bettiah, Nitish Kumar targeted the Opposition, saying that his government has been working with complete honesty and dedication to make Bihar a developed state, with the cooperation of the Central government, while “some people merely indulge in baseless talk.”

He further said, “All districts of the state will develop. We have been receiving full cooperation from the Central government. We are focusing on education and healthcare. A policy to ban private practice by government doctors will be introduced soon. Sportspersons will be given government jobs.”

Later, in a post on X, Nitish Kumar said, “From today, I have started the ‘Samriddhi Yatra’ to review the status of development works and the implementation of public welfare schemes in Bihar. The objective of this journey is to accelerate development works and include Bihar among the most developed states of the country so that the lives of the people of the state become prosperous.”

During the visit, he reviewed development works and schemes being implemented by various departments in West Champaran along with officials, and instructed them to ensure swift implementation and timely completion with full commitment and sensitivity.

He also interacted with Jeevika Didis, symbols of the state’s self-reliance and women empowerment, praised their work, and reiterated the government’s continued commitment to supporting them.

However, RJD spokesperson Chittaranjan Gagan questioned the Chief Minister’s ‘Samriddhi Yatra’.

“The Chief Minister has set out on a prosperity tour in a state where 34 per cent of families still live below the poverty line,” he remarked.

He pointed out that according to NITI Aayog’s composite development indicators, Bihar ranks at the bottom. It is the country’s third poorest state, ranks 18th out of 19 states in the health sector, has a literacy rate of only 61.3 per cent, contributes the lowest share to the national GDP at just 4.3 per cent, and its share in industry is only 1.39 per cent.

“Bihar lags far behind the national average in maternal mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, and school dropout rates,” he added.