Bihar poised for major industrial growth, says chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit

 

 

Migration has already begun to decline gradually due to improved infrastructure, power supply, road connectivity, law and order, and a better Ease of Doing Business environment with fewer government interfaces.

Bihar is poised for a major industrial transformation, with all essential prerequisites now firmly in place, including robust governance and a strong law-and-order framework.

“The basic foundation in infrastructure required for a congenial ecosystem for industrial investment is ready in Bihar,” said Bihar’s Chief Secretary, Pratyaya Amrit, in an exclusive interview with Rajesh Kumar Thakur in Patna recently.

Outlining the state’s sector-wise roadmap, the Chief Secretary said Bihar is increasingly attracting investors and is on the threshold of a new phase of industrial growth. He also spoke about Bihar’s unique initiative, Udyog–Varta, aimed at accelerating industrialisation and attracting investment across the state—from the ministerial level down to district magistrates.

Q: How prepared is Bihar for an industrial revolution, especially with a majority government in power?

Over the last 20 years, Bihar has laid the basic foundation in infrastructure necessary for a conducive industrial ecosystem. This includes rural and urban roads, national highways, and now expressways. Electricity, another critical requirement for industrial growth, is no longer an issue and is available in remarkable measure.

Law and order—perhaps the most unavoidable factor—has also seen significant improvement, making Bihar one of the best-performing states in this regard. Overall, the environment is now ready for industrial development.

The Government of Bihar has introduced progressive policies such as the Bihar State Industrial Investment Promotion Policy 2022 and the recently launched Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy 2025. Together, these policies are attracting considerable attention, and investment proposals have already started coming in.

Our focus is clear: to take Bihar to new heights of industrial growth. We are working on two priorities repeatedly emphasised by the Prime Minister—Ease of Doing Business through streamlined processes and legislation, and continuous feedback from stakeholders in the industrial sector.

Bihar is perhaps the only state conducting Udyog–Varta in such a structured manner. Through this initiative, industrialists and entrepreneurs can easily meet ministers, the Chief Secretary, and senior officials—either physically or virtually—to discuss investment proposals and support requirements. Importantly, every district magistrate has been directed to conduct Udyog–Varta at the district level. These interactions have already begun in districts such as Vaishali and others. DMs have also been instructed to visit industrial areas to understand challenges and infrastructure needs firsthand.

corruption?

Corruption typically arises from outdated systems. Our investment framework focuses on minimising direct interface with government and building investor confidence. Bihar has adopted zero tolerance towards corruption, crime, and communalism.

Governance systems have been streamlined and modernised through strong administrative capacity and political will. Technology-driven governance and reduced human interface ensure greater comfort for investors, particularly start-ups.

Q: What are your priority sectors?

Every sector is important, but our focus is on expanding the use of AI across areas such as agriculture, which remains Bihar’s economic backbone. We have achieved record success in farmer registrations through technology. My key thrust areas include industry, urbanisation, tourism, and agricultural modernisation, as these are directly linked to employment generation.

Q: Are metro or rapid rail projects planned for Patna and nearby areas?

Recently, I attended the Chief Secretaries’ Conference in Delhi, where we visited the Anand Vihar-based RRTS. We are writing to the Government of India seeking permission to prepare a DPR for an RRTS project. This is crucial for decongesting Patna. Metro rail, RRTS, townships, and satellite townships are now taking shape across Bihar.

In tourism, following the Prime Minister’s guidance on the One State, One Tourist Destination concept, we are focusing on Gaya and Bodh Gaya. Bihar is steadily moving towards becoming a Viksit Rajya.

Q: What lies ahead after Patna’s Ganga Path?

We plan to develop similar riverfronts along the Ganga—from Patna to Bhagalpur, Patna–Hajipur, Sonepur, Buxar, and other riverbank cities. A day will come when Bihar will have more scenic and safer riverfronts than many other states.