The Times of India

In a proactive move to enhance urban living, Patna's Municipal Commissioner, Yashpal Meena, canvassed the city to assess ongoing development and sanitation initiatives. He urged top officials to carry out thorough inspections and present detailed reports, focusing on delivering quality outcomes within set timelines.

Tragedy struck as the body of Jitendra Rai, a 45-year-old resident of Maner, was recovered from a drain near Police Colony on Gola Road. Missing since January 10, his family had been anxiously searching for him after filing a report.

In a tragic twist of events, a 16-year-old girl in Supaul district has died under mysterious circumstances. While her family initially insisted she succumbed to a fatal fall, an autopsy unveiled a startling gunshot wound to her chest. Authorities are now probing into potential honour-based motivations, as family members appear to have tried to obscure the facts surrounding her death.

In a proactive move to enhance disaster readiness, Patna has kicked off a two-week safety campaign spearheaded by District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S M. Slated to run until January 28, the initiative utilizes e-rickshaws, engaging street performances, and hands-on mock drills by SDRF and NDRF to inform the community.

Buxar's Government Engineering College is thrilled to announce UMANG26, a vibrant three-day festival celebrating culture and sports for students throughout the Patna division. Inaugurated by DDC Niharika Chhavi alongside GEC Principal Ram Naresh Rai, this event, organized by the science and technology department, will run until January 17.

In a decisive ruling, the Patna High Court has levied a fine of Rs 50,000 on state officials for unlawfully sealing a woman's home in Jehanabad. This action was taken nearly two years post her son's arrest related to liquor offenses, a circumstance that found no culpability on her part.

During a recent visit to the Eklavya Residential Training Centre, Buxar District Magistrate Sahila highlighted the importance of enhancing student amenities and maintaining hostel hygiene. In a bid to streamline citizen services, the district will now conduct public grievance sessions biweekly at the Collectorate. Under the leadership of Assistant Disaster Management Officer Kumar Nachiketa, all complaints will be addressed efficiently.

In Gaya district, a troubling rise in unprocessed land mutation applications has surfaced, sparked by suspicions of collusion between local circle office employees and internet cafes. District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar has mandated an investigation, highlighting concerns about applicants lacking crucial information and unexplained delays in processing cases. He has vowed to implement strict measures against any offending cafe operators.

In a vibrant display of camaraderie, Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joined Union minister Chirag Paswan and JD(U) MLA Chetan Anand for Makar Sankranti celebrations, symbolizing the strength of NDA unity. The gathering highlighted the achievements of Bihar and the commitment to the 'Bihar First, Bihari First' vision.

On Friday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar kicked off his eight-day outreach, 'Samriddhi Yatra,' starting from West Champaran and covering nine districts. This tour is pivotal as its his first since the assembly elections, allowing him to assess the progress of various initiatives under the 'Pragati Yatra' and 'Saat Nishchay-3' programs.

In a shocking turn of events in Patna, law enforcement officials have detained a hostel owner following findings from a post-mortem that indicate potential sexual assault in the case of an 18-year-old medical aspirant's death.

In Patna, a transformative three-day workshop on sustainable groundwater management wrapped up, drawing attention to the critical need for responsible water consumption. Experts shared insights on monitoring practices, quality assurance, and cutting-edge investigative methods.

In a significant move to ensure community safety, the Patna Municipal Corporation successfully sterilized 3,862 stray dogs from September to December 2025, adhering to a Supreme Court mandate. Spearheaded by a dedicated NGO from Rajasthan, this comprehensive initiative not only involves sterilization but also includes vaccination and strategic relocation.

Despite the World Bank's investment, Gaya's ambitious Chandauti wholesale market stands empty after years of planning. Local merchants have actively resisted the move from Purani Godam and Kedarnath Market, leading to administrative roadblocks.

Patna is launching an ambitious environmental initiative by reclaiming 62 acres at Ramchak Bairiya for a state-of-the-art Integrated Solid Waste Management facility, backed by an investment of Rs1,000 crore. This transformative project will tackle over 8 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste, turning it into valuable resources like fuel, fertilizer, and construction materials.

By January, Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna will be undergoing a major upgrade, featuring three state-of-the-art aerobridges and more parking bays. A new parallel taxi-track will also be introduced, significantly reducing ground congestion and flight delays. This modern expansion is designed to enhance the travel experience for passengers, with improved facilities for boarding and de-boarding even the largest aircraft.

In a proactive move toward the future, Patnas District Magistrate thoroughly reviewed the progress of the Multi-Modal Logistics Park and Fintech City initiatives in Fatuha, calling on officials to fast-track construction. The MMLP, marking Bihar's inaugural venture of its kind, is designed to elevate regional logistics capabilities.

In an innovative move, the Bihar government is now requiring geo-spatial analytics for all infrastructure projects exceeding Rs 50 crore. This initiative aims to foster a more scientific and data-informed approach to project planning. The collaboration with Birsac will simplify the project approval process, help mitigate potential challenges, and promote the long-term viability of infrastructures.

In a harrowing incident in Patna, a college student named Gaurav Kumar lost his life over a mere Rs200. Following a scuffle with a group of youths, Gaurav was brutally attacked with knives and rods, ultimately succumbing to his injuries.

The ongoing renovation of Patna's iconic Mangal Talab, with 85% of the Rs14 crore project completed, is set to reshape the area's landscape. Soon, visitors will be able to explore a vibrant tourist hub adjacent to Takhat Shri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib.

In an unsettling turn of events at GMCH in Purnia, medical students were involved in a late-night skirmish with private security personnel, resulting in injuries to 22 individuals. The confrontation was reportedly ignited by a guard's inappropriate conduct towards a female student.

In a pivotal decision, the Bihar cabinet has reached a historic agreement with Jharkhand to finally settle the enduring Sone river water dispute. This development clears the way for the construction of the Indrapuri reservoir, which promises to enhance irrigation dramatically in southern Bihar. The deal ensures that Bihar receives 5.