At least 25 killed in lightning strikes, hailstorms in several districts of Bihar

The IMD has issued an orange alert for a number of districts, including Darbhanga, East Champaran, Nalanda and Patna; forecast heavy rainfall April 10 and April 11

Lightning, thunderstorms kill 61 in Bihar; CM Nitish Kumar announces 4 lakh ex-gratia

PATNA: At least 61 people have died due to lightning strikes and hailstorms that lashed several districts of Bihar over the past 48 hours . Nalanda district reported the highest number of fatalities, with 22 deaths on Thursday alone. Other districts also reported casualties: Patna, Bhojpur, Siwan, and Gaya recorded four deaths each; Gopalganj and Jamui reported three each; Muzaffarpur, Jehanabad, Saran, and Arwal reported two deaths each; while Begusarai, Darbhanga, Saharsa, Katihar, Munger, Madhepura, Araria, and Bhagalpur each reported one death. Nalanda District Magistrate Shashank Bhubhankar confirmed that 21 people died due to thunderstorms and one due to lightning. He added that relief and rescue operations are underway in the affected areas. Instructions have been issued to hand over the bodies to their families after postmortem examinations. Efforts are also being made to restore traffic disrupted by fallen trees. Police personnel have been deployed to clear roads by removing logs and branches. Six people died in Nagma village under the Manpur police station limits when a tree fell on a temple on Thursday. The victims had taken shelter in the temple during the hailstorm, and a wall collapse caused their deaths. Other fatalities in Nalanda district were reported from Jaitipur under Islampur block, Dekpura under Rahui block, as well as from the Silao and Giriyak blocks. The district administration has released emergency contact numbers for residents. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia payment of 4 lakh to the families of the deceased. In a statement issued by the Chief Ministers Office, people were urged to stay indoors and go out only in cases of emergency. On Wednesday, 13 more people had died due to lightning strikes across four districts of the state. Heavy rains and hailstorms have affected at least 25 out of Bihars 38 districts in the past two days. In addition to the loss of human lives, the storms have caused extensive damage to homes, livestock, and agricultural crops. A senior official from the State Disaster Management Department stated that district officials have been directed to assess the damage to property and crops. Compensation will be provided to affected individuals based on their reports.

Man held with stolen pistol of Darbhanga DCs guard

Poster war between RJD, JD(U) erupts in Bihar ahead of assembly elections

PATNA: Poster war between the main opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led by Lalu Prasad and ruling Janata Dal (United) led by chief minister Nitish Kumar has begun ahead of the Bihar assembly elections due later this year. On Wednesday, posters erupted at different locations in the state capital, including Beerchand Patel Marg, where the offices of many political parties are located, drawing a parallel between two stalwarts, Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar. The posters claimed that the Lalu era was marked by communal clashes. At least 12 major incidents of communal violence occurred in Bihar between 1090 and 2005 in which a number of people lost their lives, and their property was damaged. Communal clashes took place at frequent intervals and fear was writ large on the face of people during Lalu era. On the other hand, there is communal peace and the rule of law prevails in the state during Nitish Kumars regime, the posters read. The posters contained the list of major communal incidents reported during the Lalu era. These include Sasaram riots in Rohtas district on March 30, 1990, communal flare-up in Sitamarhi on October 7,1992, which left 44 dead and communal riots in Bhagalpur, Araria, Samastipur and Darbhanga May 29-30, 1996. Similar incidents took place in Patna on January 1, 1997, Nalanda and Munger on October 1, 1998, Sasaram (Rohtas) and Biharsharif (Nalanda) on January 1, 2000, Nalanda on March 9, 2001, Darbhanga on January 2, 2003, Munger on January 16, 2003 and Ara (Bhojpur) on October 5, 2003, respectively. On the other hand, posters claimed that there was peace and harmony among members of different communities during Nitishs regime. Those involved in riots were brought to book and also prosecuted by the court for their offences. There is sushashan (good governance in Bihar), the posters read. Reacting to the latest posters put up on the Beerchand Patel Marg, JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar said that he had no knowledge about the individual or groups that put up the posters in the state capital. But there is truth in these posters. Communal riots had become an order of the day during Lalus era, he added.

Clash between two communities in Bihar's Darbhanga, 6 arrested

According to police, the incident took place when people belonging to another community started pelting stones from rooftops at people returning from the Kalash Shobha Yatra.

Stones thrown at devotees of Kalash Shobha Yatra in Bihar's Darghanga; four arrested

PATNA: Tension gripped Bihars Darbhanga after a clash erupted during Shobha Kalash Yatra on the first day of Chaiti Ramnavami on March 30. Four people have been arrested. The trouble erupted after devotees were pelted with stones from the rooftops of nearby buildings when they were returning home after taking part in the Kalash Shobha Yatra. Several women received injuries in the stone pelting. The stone pelting on the devotees escalated tension at the village. Alok Kumar alias Vikas Kumar, former mukhiya of Kewatgama village, said that police personnel from adjoining police stations have been deployed at the village to prevent any untoward incident. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Darbhanga, J Jagunath Reddy said that the situation was well under control. Additional police forces have been deployed at the village as a precautionary measure, he added. The SSP said that the station house officer (SHO) of Kusheshwarsthan police station has been asked to keep a surveillance on the movement of outsiders at the village. The SHO Rakesh Kumar said, People have been asked to maintain restraint. We are alert and keeping a close surveillance on the situation. Rumour mongers will be dealt with sternly, he said. Locals said that a clash had broken out at the village during the Holi festival. However, the situation was brought under control due to timely intervention of the police. Last week, DGP Vijay Kumar held a high-level meeting at the police headquarters and issued instructions to maintain law and order situation during EID and Ramnavami.

ED raid on Bihar chief engineers residence yields crores in cash

PATNA: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted searches at the residential premises of Bihar Building Construction Departments chief engineer, Tarini Das, in connection with a money laundering case linked to a tender scam. The raids were carried out at multiple locations linked to Das, including his residence in Purnendu Nagar near Phulwarisharif. The operation, which began early in the morning, was still ongoing at the time of filing this report. Sources revealed that crores of rupees were recovered from Dass house, prompting officials to requisition four cash counting machines to the chief ministers residence to tally the seized money. Das, who retired from service in October last year, was reinstated to his previous post under unclear circumstances. He has been accused of facilitating tenders for contractors in exchange for substantial sums of money. The fresh searches are connected to the EDs ongoing investigation into a money laundering case involving IAS officer Sanjeev Hans, who was arrested last year and remains lodged in Beur Central Jail in Patna. Hans was charged under relevant sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Former RJD MLA Gulab Yadav was also arrested in connection with the same case from a resort in New Delhi. The Patna Police had seized a substantial amount of wealth belonging to Yadav, which was later handed over to the Special Vigilance Unit. The EDs action has sparked a political row, with Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav launching a scathing attack on the NDA government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The officials are plundering public money as the CM is mentally not stable, he told the media. There is no control over the officials in the Nitish Kumar government. Money is taken for transfers and postings. Everybody is aware of how government offices are functioning in Bihar these days. But these illegal practices will stop when RJD comes to power, he asserted. Meanwhile, BJP MLA from Darbhanga and State Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Sanjay Saraogi defended the governments stance, asserting that the crackdown demonstrated a commitment to good governance. Those found to be involved in corruption will not be spared, whosoever they may be, he said. He, however, added, No one is being framed or spared. The government is maintaining zero tolerance on corruption.

NCC Share Price Hits Nearly Two-Month High After Rs 1,480-Crore Order Win

NCC will redevelop the Darbhanga Medical College & Hospital and other buildings at Laheriasarai, Darbhanga.

Meet man who left lucrative jobs with high package, later started company that now employs 2700 farmers, itisworthRs...

Rajiv Ranjan is a computer engineer who hails from a small village in Darbhanga district, Bihar. He has worked in American companies with salary packages in lakhs. However, he is now leading an FPC of 853 farmers, which is generating a turnover of crores. His story is both inspiring and astonishing.

Severe groundwater contamination detected in over 30,000 rural wards in Bihar: Report

PATNA: Bihar is grappling with severe groundwater contamination, with 30,207 rural wards exposed to unsafe drinking water that poses serious health risks, according to a new report. The report, which was recently tabled in the assembly as part of the Bihar Economic Survey (2024-25), highlighted the presence of arsenic in groundwater in 4,709 such wards, fluoride in 3,789 wards and iron in 21,709 wards. Around 26 per cent of the rural wards in 31 districts, out of a total of 38, have groundwater sources affected by arsenic, fluoride and iron contamination beyond permissible limits, the state's Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) said in the study. The affected wards are located in Buxar, Bhojpur, Patna, Saran, Vaishali, Lakhisarai, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagara, Munger, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nalanda, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Jamui, Banka, Supaul, Madhepura, Saharsa, Araria and Kishanganj districts. We are aware of the fact. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the state government has decided to make rural Bihar 'hand pump-free' and provide safe drinking water to people in the rural areas under the 'Har Ghar Nal ka Jal' scheme, PHED Minister Niraj Kumar Singh told PTI. The government is also implementing multi-village schemes (MVS) to improve water quality in the state, he said. Under the 'Har Ghar Nal ka Jal' scheme, PHED is providing safe drinking water to 83.76 lakh families in rural areas, he said, adding, potable water is also being made available to families in the 30,207 rural wards where the contamination is high. The state government is already working on a plan to use river water for drinking purposes. In September 2024, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar laid the foundation stone of a Rs 1,347-crore project for the supply of water from Sone river for drinking purposes in Aurangabad, Dehri and Sasaram cities after necessary treatment, the minister said. The scheme will use the water of Son river, ending the dependence of these cities on groundwater, he said. The project is likely to be completed in two years. In 2023, the CM dedicated the ambitious Ganga Water Supply Scheme (GWSS) or the 'Ganga Jal Apoorti Yojana' to the people of Gaya, Rajgir and Nawada. Under the scheme, people in these districts are provided an uninterrupted supply of clean and safe drinking water, Singh said. Dr Manoj Kumar, a leading gastroenterologist in Bihar, told PTI, The high level of chemical contamination in groundwater is certainly a matter of concern. The authorities must identify the source of contamination and take appropriate steps. Besides, camps should also be organised in the affected wards on a regular basis to make people aware of the adverse effects of consumption of contaminated groundwater. The authorities should come out with standardisation and classification of the quality of water used for drinking purposes. Kumar said drinking water quality standards should describe the quality parameters. Water may contain many harmful constituents, yet there are no recognised and accepted standards for drinking water in the country. The type of contaminant and its health effects vary depending on the water source, he said. The health impacts of water contamination can vary from a bout of stomach infection to terminal illnesses like cancer, Kumar said. The methods of purification depend on specific contaminants in a person's water source. Therefore, detailed water quality standards must be introduced by the authorities concerned, he added.

Bihar mayor's holi break call to accommodate Jumma prayers triggers row

PATNA: A woman mayor in Bihar on Wednesday demanded a two-hour break during Holi celebrations on March 14 to facilitate Jumma (Friday's) prayers, stoking a fresh controversy in the state. The mayor of Darbhanga, Anjum Ara, who is associated with Nitish Kumar's JD(U), suggested that Holi celebrations should be stopped between 12:30 pm and 2 pm on March 14, which coincides with Jumma (Friday's) prayers. We have a solution to the possible conflict over the matter. The Holi celebrations should be stopped for two hours so that Jumma prayers can be performed without any hassle, said the mayor, adding that the timing of Jumma prayers cannot be extended. She also requested that Holi revelers avoid mosques or prayer sites during this period. Hours after her statement went viral on social media, JD(U) minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary said that she should be expelled from the party if she is still associated with it. Choudhary, considered close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, stated that such a statement should have been avoided. BJP MLA from Bisfi, Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul, slammed Mayor Anjum Ara over her Holi advocacy, accusing her of having a 'terrorist mentality.' He asserted that Holi celebrations should continue without interruption and warned of strict action if anybody attempted to disrupt th celebrations. The mayor of Darbhanga is a woman of a Ghazwa-e-Hind and a terrorist mentality. Her family has a long history of this, he said, adding, Why are leaders of RJD, Congress, and Left parties silent about the mayor's statement? BJP MLA from Darbhanga town, Sanjay Saraogi, who is a minister in the Nitish Kumar cabinet, also echoed similar sentiments and said that the mayor's statement was not acceptable. Talking to media persons, Saraogi said that people should respect all religions. Sanatan Dharma gives a message of love, affection, and brotherhood, he added. Following the criticism, the mayor later expressed regret over her remarks. I apologize if my statement has hurt the sentiments of anybody, she said in a statement released on Wednesday. She, however, demanded action against those who tried to drag her family into controversy by making false accusations.

What's The Need To Play Politics: Shashi Tharoor On Bihar Mayor's Holi Statement

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday weighed in on Darbhanga Mayor Anjum Ara's statement on Holi and Ramzan, emphasizing the importance of communal harmony.

Bihar mayor's '2-hr Holi break' for namaaz call sparks row

The mayor of Darbhanga, Bihar, has sparked a controversy by suggesting a two-hour break in Holi celebrations to accommodate Friday prayers during Ramzan. Her proposal has drawn criticism from a BJP MLA, who accused her of calling for 'Ghazwa-e-Hind'. Meanwhile, other politicians have condemned the mayor's suggestion and emphasized the need for communal harmony.

Bihar mayor seeks two-hour break during Holi to facilitate Namaaz; BJP calls her terrorist

A fresh controversy over Holi and Friday namaaz during Ramzan erupted in Bihar with the mayor of Darbhanga town advocating a wo-hour break in celebration of the festival of colours to facilitate the Muslim prayers. The proposal was mooted by Anjum Ara at a meeting of the peace committee in the north Bihar town recently. Later, while interacting with reporters, she said, My plea was that the time of 'jumma namaaz' cannot be deferred. So, let there be a two-hour break, from noon to 2 pm, during which Hindus shall avoid places in the vicinity of mosques. This would enable people from both faiths to carry out their respective practices without any hassles. We understand that Holi comes only once in a year. But we also need to keep in mind that for Muslims, it is the holy month of Ramzan, the mayor added. Her remarks drew an angry response from HariBhushan Thakur Bachaul, a BJP MLA from the adjoining district of Madhubani, who was recently in news for asking Muslims to stay indoors if they had a problem with Holi. Talking to reporters on the state assembly premises, he said, Where are the self-proclaimed secularists who were attacking me? The mayor of Darbhanga is a woman of Ghazwa-e-Hind and a terrorist mentality; the family she belongs to has a long history of this. They are trying to ignite a fire, and that fire will not be ignited, and the strictest action will be taken against such people; the Holi celebration will not stop. There will not be a break for even a minute... Holi will be celebrated in a grand manner, he added. Thakur also warned of a pratikaar (retaliation) against those who first partitioned the country and are now intruding into the social life of Hindus. He also sought investigation into shady (sandigdh) record of Ara and her family, who are said to be supporters of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), a BJP ally. However, senior JD(U) leader and minister Shravan Kumar said, The administration is not supposed to tell the people when and how to celebrate a festival. These decisions are best left to the society and the administration must always concentrate on maintaining rule of law. He also disapproved of the remarks by Bachaul, saying, Elected representatives must never use a language that hurts a section of the society. RJD MLA Bhai Virendra, whose party is considered the first choice of Muslims in Bihar, felt the mayor of Darbhanga had come up with a response to the polarising tactics of the likes of Bachaul, who are hell-bent upon destroying 'Ganga Jamuni tehzeeb' (communal harmony). Meanwhile, the Mayor has apologised, expressing regret over her statement. I regret my earlier statement, and since morning, I have received various kinds of responses. Some people called me Bangladeshi, some called me a traitor. I would like to request the media to investigate thoroughly about me, and if any convincing evidence is found, I welcome any strict action that should be taken against me, Ara said. People are free to think what they want, but my only intention was to ensure that Darbhanga remains peaceful. In this context, I made my statement, but if anyone's feelings were hurt, I apologise for that, she added. (With inputs from PTI and ANI) Uttar Pradesh minister suggests Muslim men cover themselves with tarpaulin on Holi

Row erupts in Bihar over mayor's call for 'break' during Holi to facilitate namaaz

A fresh controversy has erupted in Bihar over Holi celebrations coinciding with Friday namaaz during Ramzan. Darbhanga mayor suggested a two-hour break in Holi festivities to facilitate Muslim prayers, drawing angry reactions and calls for retaliation from BJP MLA Hari Bhushan Thakur Bachaul.

'Jumma Time Cannot Be Extended': Darbhanga Mayor Anjum Ara Issues Controversial Appeal Ahead Of Holi

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Flight SG 766 Delayed and Cancelled After Sunset Restrictions at Darbhanga Airport

Tension grips Patna University campus after bomb explosion ahead of students' union election

PATNA: Patna University witnessed heightened tension on Wednesday after a crude bomb explosion near Darbhanga House, damaging a professors car just weeks before the student union elections scheduled for March 29. The incident occurred amid a violent clash between two student groups, leaving students in shock. Locals reported that over 30 individuals were involved in the altercation, allegedly over campus supremacy. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Diksha Bhawre confirmed that a crude bomb was hurled at the car of Professor Laxmi Narayan, head of the culture department. Though Narayan was unharmed, his vehicle sustained damage. The professor was inside a classroom when the explosion occurred. CCTV footage from nearby houses is being reviewed to identify those responsible, and action will be taken based on evidence, said ASP Bhawre. VIDEO | Bihar: A clash erupted between two groups at Darbhanga House in Patna University earlier today. Heres what ASP Diksha Bhaware said. ... We received the information today that a sutli bomb was fired and a car has been damaged in that. We are analysing the camera pic.twitter.com/r2Y9XU9ZDr Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 5, 2025 Sources said the vehicle belonged to professor Laxmi Narayan, head of the culture department. However, Prof. Narayan stated that the explosion was unrelated to him, as he was delivering a lecture when the incident occurred. My vehicle was parked outside the building where I was teaching. The incident may be linked to tensions surrounding the upcoming student elections, he said, adding that he has filed a complaint regarding the damage. A police team from Pirbahore police station visited the scene, collected evidence, and launched an investigation. Patrolling has been intensified as a precaution. We are closely monitoring student activities following the explosion, a police officer from Pirbahore station said.

Anam Zafar becomes the first MANUU student to get All India Rank 1 in UGC NET JRF

Hyderabad: Here is an amazing story of a single mother and her only child who brought tears of joy to her eyes by securing the First rank in the UGC-NET JRF examination. Anam Zafar, 25, secured the 100 percentile in the examination. Her mother, Rehana Khatoon, lives in Chandanpatti village, Darbhanga district in Bihar. When Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Nitish Kumar expands Cabinet, inducts seven new faces from BJP

PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday expanded his cabinet with the induction of seven new faces, all from the alliance partner BJP. The development comes three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhagalpur where he transferred the 19th instalment of PM Kishan Samman Nidhi to bank accounts of farmers and inaugurated several development projects. All the seven MLAs were sworn in as ministers at a simple function held at Raj Bhawan. Governor Arif Mohammad Khan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly inducted ministers in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Speaker of Bihar assembly Nand Kishore Yadav, deputy chief ministersSamrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha besides other ministers of the Nitish Kumar cabinet. Those who were inducted as ministers in the much-awaited expansion includeSanjay Sagaogi (Darbhanga Town), Jibesh Mishra (Jale), Dr. Sunil Kumar (Biharsharif), Raju Kumar Singh (Sahebganj), Krishna Kumar Mantu (Amnour), Motilal Prasad (Riga) and Vijay Mandal (Sikti). The expansion assumed significance in the wake of assembly elections due in October-November this year. Hours before the expansion of cabinet, revenue and land reforms department minister Dilip Jaiswal resigned from the post of minister on the directive of the central leadership of the party. His resignation was accepted, paving the way for the induction of the seventh minister in the cabinet. With the induction of seven new ministers, the strength of the new cabinet has gone upto 36 in the 243-member Bihar legislative assembly. Earlier, there were only 30 ministers, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Several ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, Nitish Mishra and Mandal Pandey were holding additional charge of two or more than two departments. Sources said that the departments would be allocated to the newly inducted ministers shortly. With Wednesdays cabinet expansion, the number of ministers from BJP quota in the 243-member Bihar assembly has gone upto 21 while its ally Janata Dal (United) has 13 ministers. Of the 21 ministers from BJP quota are two deputy chief ministersSamrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. One Independent MLA is also a minister. Regional and caste factors played a crucial role in the selection of names of MLAs elevated to ministers in poll-bound Bihar. The ruling BJP has tried to woo voters of Mithilanchal and Simanchal region by giving prominence to its MLAs in the new cabinet expansion. Among the newly inducted ministers, two MLAs come from Upper castesRajput and Bhumihar. In addition, two are from the Vaishya community and the remaining three from Koeri-Kurmi (EBC). Since assembly elections are only eight months away, peoples representatives from Upper castes, Vaishya and EBC categories have been given representation in the new cabinet expansion, a political analyst said. He said that Wednesdays cabinet expansion is crucial in strengthening the BJP's influence in the state politics while ensuring smooth coordination with its major ally--JD(U), ahead of elections. The expansion took place a day after BJP president J P Nadda called on CM Nitish at his 1 Anne Marg residence. Dilip Jaiswal, however, will continue to serve as state chief of the BJP. In BJP there is a principle of one person, one post. I quit the post of minister under the partys policy, Jaiswal said, adding that he has been given the responsibility of the state partys affairs.

Tejashwi Yadav claims PM Modi's Bihar visit aimed at election management, Paswan hits back

PATNA: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bihar was primarily intended to issue instructions for effective management of assembly elections in the state, which are due later this year. The former deputy CM claimed he had predicted, soon after the Delhi assembly elections, that the PM would turn his focus to Bihar. The PM is not coming here with any solutions to the state's problems of unemployment and poverty. Bihar continues to be the most backward state in the country despite being under NDA rule for 20 years, alleged Yadav, who is now the leader of the opposition. I had said soon after the Delhi assembly results that now the PM and his top aides will make a beeline for Bihar since this is the only state where polls are scheduled this year. Modi is coming to Bhagalpur to issue instructions to some people for suitable management of the elections, said Yadav, without elaborating further. The RJD leader took pride in the fact that his party won the most seats in the last couple of elections. In 2020, when the RJD-helmed Mahagathbandhan missed getting a majority by a dozen seats, Yadav had alleged that the results were managed in favour of the NDA by the state's pliant bureaucracy. A poster put up near the RJD office reminded Modi of his earlier unfulfilled promises. Borrowing lyrics from a popular Bollywood song, the poster carried the slogan, Poochhti hai janata, kya hua tera vaada, vo kasam vo irada. However, Union minister Chirag Paswan, who heads the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), took exception to Yadav's charge that the PM's visit was linked to assembly elections. The Hajipur MP pointed out he PM had visited Jamui and Darbhanga last year when there were no elections. He comes to Bihar because he is concerned about the state, as was evident from the Union Budget presented recently. And why does the RJD leader blame NDA for the plight of the state? Does he not remember that his party had ruled Bihar for three back-to-back terms, which was known for lawlessness and economic stagnation, asked Paswan.

Makhana will take over the world of superfoods in future, says Shivraj Chouhan

Union Minister interacts with makhana producers in Darbhanga, promises that the Centre is preparing the framework of the Makhana Board by listening to them

Bihar panchayat's 'get compensation, settle issue' diktat to rape survivor comes to light after formal complaint

PATNA: Shockingly, a village panchayat in Bihar's Saharsa district had asked the family members of a 14-year rape survivor belonging to the Scheduled Caste to settle the matter by receiving Rs 1.11 lakh as compensation from the accused. The issue came to light after the news reached the superintendent of police, Saharsa, Himanshu Kumar on Wednesday after the accused's family refused to pay the 'compensation' fixed by the panchayat for the girl's marriage. Taking serious note of the incident, SP asked the Station House Officer (SHO) of Mahishi police station to lodge a formal complaint and initiate action against the accused. The victim's mother told the police that the incident took place on the night of January 5 when her minor daughter had gone to a nearby field to attend nature's call. Taking advantage of the situation, the 21-year-old accused held her captive, took her to a house and raped her. When searched for, she was found in the house where the tormentor allegedly committed the crime. She was taken back to her home late in the night and the next morning the matter was brought to the notice of the panchayat. The accused is also a native of the same village to which the rape victim belongs to. The panchayat members held a meeting and decided to pay Rs.1.11 lakh as compensation to the victim's family. The accused confessed to the crime and agreed to pay the compensation fixed by the panchayat. A month passed by, but nothing happened on this front. In her complaint to the police, the girl's mother said that she and her relatives were abused and misbehaved when they visited the accused Ratan Mukhiya's house for compensation. The accused's family refused to abide by the panchayat's directives and also threatened to sue in a false case. Finding no help from the panchayat, she decided to report the matter to the SP, who took serious note of the incident. Yes, the victim's mother turned up to my office and submitted a written complaint, which has been forwarded to the SHO concerned for necessary action, he told this reporter over the phone on Wednesday. When contacted, the SHO of Mahishi police station Amarnath said that the girl's statement had been recorded and she would be sent for medical examination. He revealed that five persons have been named as accused in the complaint. The offender Ratan Mukhiya, who is a neighbour of the victim, absconded after the incident. We will also investigate whether the panchayat had issued any directive to the accused to settle the matter, the SHO added. In another incident, a 50-year-old man was arrested in Darbhanga district for raping a six-year-old girl in Darbhanga district. SP, Rural, Alok said that the accused Mahakant Paswan has been sent to jail. The victim has been admitted to the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) as her condition is stated to be serious.

Bihar MPs raise key demands in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: Two MPs from Bihar raised demands for the state in particular and other demands in general in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. JDU MP Sanjay K Jha urged the Centre to consider a proposal to rename the Darbhanga airport after a renowned poet of the Mithila region, namely Vidyapati. He raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour, informing the House that the Bihar government had written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2020, requesting the renaming of Darbhanga airport. He further said it had been proposed that Darbhanga airport should be renamed as 'Kavi Kokil Vidyapati Airport'. On 22 December 2020, the Nitish Kumar government had written a letter to the then Civil Aviation Minister, requesting the airport be renamed after Vidyapati, as the Bihar Assembly and Legislative Council had already passed resolutions in this regard. In Bihars Mithilanchal region, Vidyapati was a 15th-century poet, a scholar from north Bihar, and a polymath who wrote in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha, and Maithili. He is popularly known as 'Maithil Kavi Kokil' (the poet cuckoo of Maithili). Similarly, Manoj Jha, a Rajya Sabha MP from Bihars main opposition party, RJD, urged the Centre on Friday to take urgent steps to address rising income inequality. He said that the growing disparity in earnings was not just a challenge for the economy but also a threat to social stability. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, the RJD MP further said the middle- and lower-income groups were witnessing a decline in their earnings, while the income of the rich was rising. Income inequality is affecting several aspects of our lives. The income of the millionaires and the billionaires is rising... We have no complaint with that, but there is a parallel, sharp decline in the incomes of the middle- and lower-income groups, especially the unorganised sector, Jha said. He added, saying, Post-Covid, this trend has become faster. The elite class' income has increased, but in comparison, the marginalised group, the working class, is witnessing a decline in their earnings. He asserted that income disparity affected the economy as well as social stability. It also affects democracy. Because when capital becomes concentrated, it influences politics. And when capital starts dominating politics, it is our collective responsibility to get out of it, he said.

Bihar achieves 100 per cent railway electrification, major infrastructure boost underway

NEW DELHI: Bihar has completed the electrification of all its railway tracks, marking a significant milestone in its infrastructure development. Alongside this achievement, over 58 new railway projects worth 86,458 crore are currently being implemented across the state. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the extensive railway progress in Bihar, emphasising that in 2009-14, only 64 km of new rail lines were built, whereas from 2015-25, we have laid down 167 km of new rail lines in Bihar. The most notable achievement is that Bihar now has 100 per cent electrified rail routes. He further stated that since 2014, a total of 3,024 km of railway routes in Bihar have been electrified. Additionally, the installation of the anti-collision device Kavach has been completed on 1,783 km of railway tracks, with tenders in progress for an additional 924 km. The Union Budget for 2025-26 has allocated over Rs 10,000 crore to Bihar, which is set to hold elections for its 243-member legislative assembly later this year. The minister pointed out that while the UPA government allocated only Rs 1,132 crore for railway projects in Bihar between 2009-14, the current government has earmarked 10,066 crore for 2025-26. In Bihar, 12 Vande Bharat trains are now in operation, covering 15 districts with 22 unique stoppages. One Amrit Bharat Express also runs between Darbhanga and Anand Vihar Terminal, covering four districts with 11 unique stoppages, Vaishnaw announced. A total of 98 railway stations in Bihar are being redeveloped as Amrit stations, with work progressing on 85 of them. Key stations under redevelopment include Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bapudham Motihari, Sitamarhi, and Darbhanga, with an estimated investment of Rs 1,555 crore. The minister also assured that Patna Junction, along with other major stations, will undergo redevelopment to enhance passenger services with modern amenities. He further noted that since 2014, Bihar has witnessed the construction of 1,832 km of new rail routescomparable to the entire railway network of Malaysia. Currently, 57 infrastructure and rail service projects are underway in the state, aimed at strengthening connectivity and improving rail services.

'Bihar achieves 100 percent electrification of railway tracks'

NEW DELHI: Bihar has achieved 100% electrification of its railway tracks, with over 58 new projects worth Rs 86,458 crore currently being implemented. In the Union Budget for 2025-26, Bihar, which is set to hold elections for its 243-member legislative assembly later this year, has been allocated over Rs 10,000 crore. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking at a special press conference on Monday, stated that 57 infrastructure and rail service projects are underway in Bihar. He mentioned that 98 railway stations in the state are being redeveloped as Amrit stations, with work progressing on 85 of them. Highlighting the progress made under Prime Minister Narendra Modis tenure since 2014, Vaishnaw noted that 1,832 km of new rail routes have been constructed in Biharcomparable to the entire railway network of Malaysia. Comparing this with the previous UPA governments allocation during 2009-14, he pointed out that while only Rs 1,132 crore was allotted then, the current government has allocated Rs 10,066 crore for 2025-26. In 2009-14, only 64 km of new rail lines were built, whereas from 2015-25, we have laid down 167 km of new rail lines in Bihar. The most notable achievement is that Bihar has now 100% electrified rail routes, he asserted. Since 2014, a total of 3,024 km of rail routes have been electrified in Bihar, with Rs 86,458 crore invested in 57 ongoing projects, including new rail lines and other infrastructural developments. Vaishnaw also announced the installation of the anti-collision device Kavach on 1,783 km of rail routes, with tenders in progress for 924 km. In Bihar, now 12 Vande Bharat trains are in operation, covering 15 districts with 22 unique stoppages. One Amrit Bharat Express also runs between Darbhanga and Anand Vihar Terminal, covering four districts with 11 unique stoppages, he added. Among the 98 stations being redeveloped as Amrit stations, key locations include Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bapudham Motihari, Sitamarhi, and Darbhanga, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,555 crore. Vaishnaw also assured that Patna Junction, along with other major stations, will undergo redevelopment to provide high-standard services with modern amenities.

Party hopping begins, two from JD(U) join Congress in Bihar

PATNA : Party-hopping has picked up in Bihar as the assembly election draws near, charging the states political atmosphere. Leaders have begun switching sides in the hope of contesting the election representing parties of their choice. The parties embrace them with open arms to encash their caste identities and winnability factors. On Tuesday, two senior leaders of the ruling Janata Dal (United) --Ali Anwar, former Rajya Sabha member and Bhagirath Manjhi, son of Bihars Mountain Man Dasarath Manjhi joined the Congress. In addition, Manoj Prajapati, state president of Akhil Bharatiya Prajapati Kumbhkar Sangh, along with other leaders, joined the grand old party. Ali Anwar is an influential Pasmanda community leader. Pasmandas form the lions share among the backward Muslim votes. He is a two-term Rajya Sabha member and All-India Pasmanda Muslim Samaj president. The Congress is trying to strengthen its support base among backward Muslims and Dalits through Ali Anwar and Dasarath Manjhi, political analyst Pramod Kumar said. On Saturday, state RJD vice president Shobha Kushwaha joined Chief Minister Nitish Kumars JD (U) along with a large number of supporters. The party hopes her entry will help consolidate the Luv-Kush (Kurmi-Koeri) vote base. Shobhas induction comes when the RJD is trying hard to make inroads into the Kushwaha vote bank. In the last Lok Sabha polls, it had fielded three Kushwaha candidates. It appointed Abhay Kushwaha, who won the election from Aurangabad, as its parliamentary party leader in the Lok Sabha. Shobha was also a member of the Bihar State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights. A prominent leader of the Dhanuk caste (listed as EBC in Bihar), Ajay Rai from Bhagalpur, also joined JD (U) on the occasion. The JD (U) claimed he supported former poll strategist Prashant Kishors Jan Suraaj Party. Recently, former JD (U) vice president Mangani Lal Mandal was inducted into the RJD by party leader Tejashwi Yadav. With the help of Mandal, Tejashwi is trying to woo the EBC vote bank. The EBC support is considered crucial for getting and retaining power in Bihar. This has been Nitishs core vote bank for the last 20 years. In the previous Lok Sabha elections, he had inducted Mukesh Sahni into the alliance to make inroads into the Mallah vote bank. Mandals influence is believed to be in Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur and Muzaffarpur of north Bihar. He has been an MLA and MP from Jhanjharpur. This time, RJD celebrated former chief minister Karpoori Thakurs birth anniversary in Madhubani districts Phulparas on Friday, considered as the Karmabhhomi of Thakur, who was also from the EBC category. In the 2020 assembly election, the grand alliance could not perform well in Samastipur, Darbhanga, Madhubani and Muzaffarpur. While the RJD won 11, Congress and CPI (M) won a seat each in Muzaffarpur and Samastipur.

Bihar college students expelled for making reels in examination hall

PATNA: A girl examinee filming a reel in the examination hall and that too during the examination, sounds interesting. The unusual incident took place at a college in Bihar's Samastipur district. The vice chancellor of Lalit Narayan Mithila University, Darbhanga, initiated disciplinary action against the girl examinee Kalpana Kumari and expelled her from the examination. She has also been debarred from taking the examination for two consecutive terms. Not only that, another examinee Kundan Kumar has been punished for helping Kalpana in making the reels inside the examination hall. Both the examinees have been expelled from examination on the directive of the vice-chancellor, a senior teacher of Samastipur College said. The matter came to the notice of the vice chancellor when the reel made during the examination at Samastipur College went viral on social media. The vice chancellor reprimanded the college administration for lapses on its part and warned of action if such things happened again. During the investigation, it came to light that a female student, along with a boy student who had come to take a graduate part one examination at Samastipur College examination centre made the reel and made the video viral on social media. In the viral video, the girl can be seen dancing to a Bhojpuri song on the college campus with other examinees watching it. Samastipur college mein Samastipur video banane ke chakkar mein hamesha ke liye Pariksha se nishkarsh Kar Diya aur ghar per banaaiye rails yah video dekhte rahiye #Samastipur college Samastipur #viral trending reels pic.twitter.com/eGXZ6yF6na Harikant kumar Gupta (@HarikantG98077) January 26, 2025 The principal of the college wrote a letter to Nagendra Prasad Singh and Ramgati Sah, the parents of the girl and the boy, saying that their children violated the sanctity and confidentiality of the examination. Hence they have been expelled from the examination and debarred for taking the examination for two consecutive terms. This is not the first of its kind incident in the state. The social media madness to gain followers and likes has caused embarrassment to the college and school authorities.

SVU seizes Rs 1.87 crore assets from Bihar's Bettiah DEO in corruption probe

Patna: The Special Vigilance Unit (SVU), the anti-corruption wing of the Bihar Police, on Thursday conducted simultaneous raids at various locations linked to education department official Rajnikant Praveen, currently serving as the District Education Officer (DEO) of Bettiah in West Champaran district. The searches were carried out in Darbhanga, Madhubani, West Champaran, and Samastipur districts as part of a disproportionate assets case. The SVU began its operation at the DEOs office before moving to his residential premises. During the raid, bundles of currency notes were discovered hidden under beds in different rooms of his house. A currency-counting machine was requisitioned from a local bank to ascertain the exact amount of cash seized. The exact amount of cash will be determined after counting the bundles of seized currency notes, said a member of the raiding team. In addition to cash, the SVU stumbled upon documents revealing movable and immovable assets valued at Rs 1.87 crore. The DEOs wife reportedly runs a private school in Bettiah. Sources revealed that various teacher associations had lodged complaints against Praveen, alleging that he had amassed wealth through illegal means. However, these allegations were allegedly ignored for years due to Praveens proximity to influential figures. Praveen has been serving as DEO in Bettiah for over three years, having joined the state education department in 2005. The raids, which began in the early hours of Thursday after obtaining the necessary permissions, were still ongoing at the time of reporting. The operation has sent shockwaves through the education department, with at least 10 other officials reportedly under SVU surveillance over similar allegations. At least 10 officers of the education department are under the surveillance of the SVU, a senior officer said. Earlier, DEOs in East Champaran and Kishanganj districts also faced action following allegations of corruption. Sources indicated widespread complaints regarding irregularities in the procurement of furniture for government schools across the state. The Additional Chief Secretary of the education department, S. Sidharth, has ordered an inquiry into the involvement of employees accused of engaging in corrupt practices.

35% Trains Run Late in SCR Secunderabad Unit

Hyderabad: One in every three trains in the Secunderabad division of South Central Railways, including the famed Vande Bharat Express, have been running behind schedule in the last four months. Balakrishna and Ramana Ashok, residents of Uppuguda in the Old City, experienced one such delay on Friday. They travelled on a special train from Tirupati to Hyderabad, which was supposed to arrive at 6 am but reached the Cherlapalli nearly three hours late. Private employees, they had chosen this train to make it to their 9 am jobs, but the delay forced them to apply leave for the day. Businessman Raju Ojha, who frequently travels on the Darbhanga-Secunderabad Express, also had similar complaints. He said that the train was often late by three to five hours. He urged the authorities to ensure trains run according to schedule. A railway expert noted that during the last quarter of the financial year extending until March freight trains are prioritised to meet targets, which can lead to delays for passenger services. Passengers, especially those using the Secunderabad division, have raised concerns about late arrivals. The Secunderabad station handles about 180 trains per day, with a footfall of around 1.5 lakh, while the Nampally station sees between 20 and 30 trains, serving approximately 50,000 passengers daily. Shiv Kumar, a railway analyst, explained that running more trains than the available tracks and platforms exacerbated the issue. Ongoing development at the Secunderabad station often forced trains to stop at a distance for a while. Additionally, the third line work on the Balharshah-Vijayawada and pit line projects were further disrupting schedules. Kumar emphasised that doubling the single-track Guntur route, a key line, would help reduce these delays. Responding to a query on the late running of trains, an SCR official pointed out that trains would be marked as delayed in the statistics even if they were late by three minutes. He said the railways never compromised on safety, and the focus was on ensuring that all the required norms were met to operate the trains. The official said that SCR had taken up various development and modernisation works, including the installation of a system called; automatic block signalling, which was contributing to the slow movement of trains on certain sections. When complete, the automatic block signalling equipment would enable the trains to run faster. He said that line tripling work was being carried out on the Kazipet-Balharshah-Kondapalli route, which involved several technical aspects including installing overhead electric lines. Work was also going on at several spots to build under and overbridges. Railway data show : 2024 September: 28% late November: 35% late December: 38% late 2025 Till Jan. 15: 33% late

Patna Diary | Right time to take right turn: Lalu

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has often courted controversy with his statements; his latest poster is no exception. While inviting Nitish to rejoin the Mahagathabandhan, Lalu targeted him in a poster. He suggested that now is the right time to take the right turn, implying that Tejashwis leadership could lead to benefits such as the Mai, Behan Maan Yojana, free electricity for up to 200 units, and job opportunities. He warned that on the Nitish Path, there would only be unemployment, crumbling infrastructure, and rising crime. Lalu had invited Nitish to return to the alliance camp, but Nitish declined. Tejashwi accuses retired babu of tax collection According to Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar is currently grappling with the DK Tax syndrome. The LoP in the state assembly sharpened his criticism of CM Nitish Kumar, alleging that a retired bureaucrat is effectively running the government and collecting funds, dubbed DK Tax, from officials in exchange for favourable postings. Tejashwi claimed that many competent officers have been sidelined due to their failure to pay this tax. Since 2018, the powers of the chief secretary and the DGP have also been diminished. Yadav argues that a group of retired bureaucrats is making key decisions. Darbhanga airport to go international Among positive developments, the state cabinet led by CM Nitish Kumar, has approved a proposal to acquire an additional 89.75 acres of land for the expansion and development of Darbhanga Airport into an international facility. Additionally, the cabinet has authorized the acquisition of 139 acres of land valued at `207 crore for the expansion of Raxaul Airport, which is located near the Indo-Nepal border in East Champaran district. Alongside Patna, Gaya is another international airport in the state. Furthermore, ongoing efforts are being made to develop and upgrade other airports, including those in Purnea, Bhagalpur, and Muzaffarpur. Ramashankar Our correspondent in Bihar ramashankar@newindianexpress.com

Man arrested for selling Ganja laced chocolates

Hyderabad: The Drug Task Force (DTF) of Medchal district raided a house in Thumkunta village and arrested a migrant, seizing 85 packs of ganja-laced chocolates worth Rs 34,000. The accused, C. Upender Mandal (35), a native of Darbhanga, Bihar, confessed to having relocated to the city and opened a pan broker shop at his house a few months ago, according to excise officials. We, along with our head constables Sattar, Venkateshwar Rao, and constables Sanjay and Munaf, had been keeping Upender Mandal under surveillance for the past four months. When we learned he had arrived from Bihar with a baggage on Tuesday, our special team raided his house and found him selling ganja chocolates along with pan masala, said DTF SI Pawan Kumar Reddy. During the raid, 85 packets of ganja-laced chocolates were found at Upender's rented house. The accused admitted to procuring the contraband from Bihar and selling it to customers at a high price. He further disclosed that he purchased each packet, containing 40 chocolates, in Bihar for Rs 25 and sold each chocolate for Rs 10. The accused, along with the seized property, was handed over to the Medchal Excise Police for further investigation and was later produced in court for judicial remand.

Cops Arrived To Nab Accused Attacked By Locals In Bihars Darbhanga, Several Injured

As soon as the police arrested accused Jitendra, his agitated family members and locals attacked the police team.

Dilip Cherian | Decoding Delhis latest babu jigsaw

The recent secretary-level reshuffle in New Delhi left some scratching their heads yet again. Like an unsolvable jigsaw puzzle, the logic behind these moves remains a closely guarded secret. But, for now, lets try to decode at least a few of these postings. First up is the department of personnel and training (DoPT), which handles the government's personnel affairs. For the third time in a year, the DoPT has a new secretary, with Rachna Shah, a 1991 Kerala cadre officer stepping in after a prolonged vacancy. Notably, the baton remains with a woman officer, continuing a trend. Ms Shah replaces Radha S. Chauhan, while Manisha Saxena recently took over as establishment officer, and Kavita Singh handles crucial ACC matters in the Cabinet secretariat. Coincidence? Hardly, say sources. The system seems designed to prevent leaks and surprises. If all goes smoothly, Ms Shah may stay till her retirement in November 2027, promising some much-needed stability at the DoPT. Over at the department of revenue, the reshuffle sparked buzz with 1992 batch IAS officer Arunish Chawlas appointment. Taking over from Sanjay Malhotra, now RBI governor, Mr Chawla faces the Herculean task of managing key portfolios like CBDT, CBIC, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). His stint in pharmaceuticals seems to have been a brief stopover, and hes now moved to the high-stakes North Block while still holding charge of the ministry of culture. Speaking of culture, its been on an upward trajectory, gaining significant prominence. How Mr Chawla balances these dual responsibilities will be worth watching. As for the ministry of culture, the suspense over who will fill Mr Chawlas shoes adds an extra layer of intrigue. With the Prime Ministers Office playing its cards close to the chest, its a game of wait-and-watch. In the end, these reshuffles are a masterclass in controlled chaos. For us, mere mortals, deciphering the method in this madness remains an engaging, if baffling, pastime. Why did promising Darbhanga cop offer her resignation? Bureaucracy often thrives on opacity, but every so often, a story comes along that is intriguing enough to make us wonder whats happening behind the scenes. The case of Kamya Misra, a promising young IPS officer from the 2019 batch, is one such mystery. Ms Misra, who recently resigned from her post as the rural superintendent of police (SP) in Darbhanga, citing personal reasons, found her resignation unceremoniously rejected by the Bihar government. Instead, shes been granted 180 days of leave starting November 2024 and is currently cooling her heels at the Bihar police headquarters, awaiting a fresh posting. Reshuffles are routine in police services, but her case feels anything but ordinary. Her husband, Avdhesh Saroj Dixit, also from the 2019 batch, is currently the SP of Gopalganj, having previously served as the City SP in Muzaffarpur. The duo, who married in 2021, is highly regarded in bureaucratic circles. So why would an officer like Ms Misra, respected and reportedly effective, tender her resignation? And why would the government so pointedly refuse to let her go? The timing adds an extra layer of intrigue. Could this be linked to Bihars political climate, with state elections potentially on the horizon? Ms Misras tenure in Darbhanga and her decision to step away could have raised eyebrows, but the governments move to sideline her while keeping her within the system only raises more questions. Is there a larger BJP-Nitish Kumar political calculus at play here? Or does this point to internal administrative dynamics that we can only guess at? Whatever the reason, one thing is clear as the political temperature in the state rises, stories like this remind us of the fine balance between governance and politics in Indias bureaucracy. For now, though, Kamya Misras 180-day hiatus leaves us wondering: Whats next in this unfolding drama? Cut the clutter: Cabinet secy pushes for fast governance Continuing from where he left off last month, Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan has called out ministries for ignoring a two-year-old directive to limit decision-making to four layers. In a no-nonsense letter, he pointed out that this non-compliance is causing unnecessary delays, undermining the governments push for reforms. He is clearly a man on a mission. The directive aims to streamline processes by creating a leaner, flatter structure. Mr Somanathan wants special, additional, and joint secretaries to operate as independent bureau heads, cutting out extra layers that slow things down. His message was clear: De-layering isnt just a buzzword; its about speeding up decisions and improving efficiency. He also reminded secretaries to personally ensure these changes are implemented, stressing that responsive, transparent governance depends on it. Adding to this, the Cabinet secretary chimed in with a reminder to keep communication short and sweet. He asked secretaries to send concise monthly updates just one or two pages highlighting key issues and delays. The message? Less bureaucracy, more action.

SCR Reschedules Trains to Darbhanga, Raxaul

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway has rescheduled two services, one each to Raxaul and Darbhanga, to facilitate the construction of a foot overbridge at the Rajgangpur yard under the South Eastern Railway. Train 07051, scheduled to leave Hyderabad at 8.35 pm on December 28 to Raxaul, will now depart at 12.35 am on December 29. Train 17007, from Secunderabad to Darbhanga, scheduled to depart at 10.40 pm on December 28, has been rescheduled to 11.40 pm the same day.

Maruti Suzuki signs MoA with Bihar Govt Transport Dept

5 driving test tracks to be automated at Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Purnia and Saran 2 driving test tracks automated by Maruti Suzuki at Aurangabad and Patna are already operational Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) for Two-wheeler (TW) and Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving license testing MSIL to increase the number of Automated Driving Test Tracks to 44 across the country, from the current 27 New Delhi : Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Transport Department, Government of Bihar to automate driving license test tracks at Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Purnia and Saran. The MoA was signed in the presence of Smt. Sheela Kumari, Honble Transport Minister of Bihar and Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal (IAS), Secretary, Transport Department, Government of Bihar. The MoA was signed by Shri Navin Kumar (IAS), State Transport Commissioner, Government of Bihar and Shri Tarun Agarwal, Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Maruti Suzuki. With zero human intervention, the Automated Driving Test Tracks are aimed to make license testing more comprehensive, efficient, and transparent. The rigorous and standardized evaluation process is designed to assess candidates according to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR). Test results are also automatically generated. Applauding Maruti Suzuki on its road safety efforts, Smt. Sheela Kumari, Honble Transport Minister of Bihar said, I applaud Maruti Suzuki, Indias leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, for their exemplary commitment to road safety through nationwide programs. One of their innovative initiatives, the Automated Driving Test Tracks, ensures that only skilled drivers get a driving license, making our roads safer for everyone. We successfully automated the driving test tracks in Aurangabad and Patna with them and have seen drivers coming better prepared for the license testing. We are glad to partner with Maruti Suzuki once again to develop five more Automated Driving Test Tracks in Bihar. This collaboration will significantly contribute toward reducing road accidents and promoting responsible driving practices in our state of Bihar. Mr. Rahul Bharti, Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, Maruti Suzukis association with the Bihar government goes back to 2018 when we set up the states first Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) to offer driver training in Aurangabad. Since then, we have inaugurated ADTTs at Aurangabad in 2020 and Patna in 2021. We thank the Government of Bihar for further entrusting us with this road safety project. Maruti Suzuki has been steadfast in its commitment to the 5 pillars of road safety - engineering, education, evaluation, enforcement, and emergency care. Automated driving license testing is a vital component of the evaluation process. Equipped with high-definition cameras and an integrated IT system, ADTTs guarantee a comprehensive, efficient, and transparent testing process ensuring that only skilled drivers are awarded licenses. Mr. Bharti added, According to data shared by the Union Road Transport Ministry, 15.3 lakh lives were lost in road accidents in the 10 years between 2014-2023 in India. Road death rate in the country is around 250 per 10,000 km as opposed to 119 in China, 57 in the USA, and 11 in Australia. An important aspect of road safety is drivers skill and knowledge of traffic rules. Automated Driving Test Tracks will ensure that license seekers are better prepared and only skilled drivers are awarded a driving license. This will bring a positive transformation that will go a long way to reduce road accidents caused by human error. Maruti Suzuki Automated Driving Test Tracks across India Over the past years, Maruti Suzuki has systematically automated 27 driving test tracks (across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Haryana). The Company is in the process of setting up 12 additional ADTTs in Uttar Pradesh. With the addition of these 5 test tracks in Bihar, the Company will complete automation of 44 driving test tracks across the country.

IIT-Delhi to undertake a topographical survey for establishing AIIMS-Darbhanga, Government tells Rajya Sabha

Union Health Minister announces IIT-Delhis involvement in establishing AIIMS in Darbhanga, Bihar, with detailed technical investigations and structural design