By Kavita Sharma
Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Patna, July 19, 2026: A decades-long aspiration of the people of Bihar’s Sheohar district was fulfilled on Sunday when Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inaugurated the Belwa-Minapur Link Channel at Belwaghat in Piprahi block.
Constructed at a cost of Rs 130.88 crore under the Bagmati-Burhi Gandak River Link Project, the 68.80-kilometre channel is expected to play a significant role in flood management, irrigation, and water resources conservation in the region.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh, and several ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), and members of the Legislative Council (MLCs).
Development projects worth nearly Rs 200 crore unveiled by Samrat Choudhary:
During the program, the Chief Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 40 development projects across multiple government departments, involving an estimated investment of nearly Rs 200 crore.
He later visited exhibition stalls put up by various departments to review the implementation of government welfare schemes and interact with officials.
Addressing the gathering, Samrat Choudhary said the project reflected the realization of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision of interlinking rivers, which is being carried forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said the initiative would strengthen flood control, enhance irrigation facilities, and promote the scientific management of water resources, ultimately benefiting agriculture and creating new employment opportunities.
“I inaugurated and inspected the 68.80-kilometre Belwa—Manipur Link Channel (Belwadhar, constructed at a cost of Rs 130.88 crore under the Bagmati—Burhi Gandak River Link Project connecting Belwa in Sheohar with Minapur in Muzaffarpur. The project will benefit the people of Sheohar as well as neighbouring districts by improving irrigation and water management,” said Samrat Choudhary.
The event also highlighted the entrepreneurial achievements of women associated with the Jeevika self-help groups.
Four stalls were set up near the main stage, displaying locally made products by women entrepreneurs, including bangles and lahthi, household utensils, trolleys, and Handcrafts.
In another major initiative aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment, Samrat Choudhary distributed cheques worth a total of Rs 25.35 crore to 4,550 Jeevika self-help groups, providing financial assistance to promote livelihood generation and rural entrepreneurship.
Tight security arrangements:
The district administration made elaborate arrangements for the Chief Minister’s visit, deploying extensive security personnel throughout the venue.
The event site was placed under a multi-layered security cover to ensure the smooth conduct of the program.
The inauguration of the Belwa-Minapur Link Channel is expected to significantly improve flood management, irrigation facilities, and agricultural productivity in the flood-prone regions of Sheohar and neighbouring districts.
Officials believe the project will contribute to long-term rural development by enhancing water availability, protecting farmlands, and improving the livelihoods of thousands of farmers across north Bihar.
Samrat Choudhary inaugurates 551 model schools in Begusarai:
After inaugurating key development projects in Sheohar, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary continued his statewide development outreach with a visit to Begusarai, where he inaugurated several major initiatives focused on education, infrastructure, and regional development.
From the birthplace of National Poet (Rashtrakavi) Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar,’ Samrat Choudhary inaugurated 551 Saraswati Vidya Niketan (Model Schools) across Bihar, describing the initiative as the beginning of a new era in the state’s education sector. During his visit, he inspected the model school at B.P. Inter School and reviewed its facilities, directing officials to further strengthen quality, technology-driven, and modern education in government schools.
The Chief Minister also made a series of significant announcements aimed at accelerating Bihar’s development. These included the establishment of a university in the name of Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar,’ the construction of the Bhagwan Shri Venkateshwar (Tirupati) Temple at Simaria, the development of the Simaria-Bhagalpur Marine Drive, and the proposed Raxaul-Haldia Expressway.
Samrat Choudhary said these projects would provide fresh momentum to infrastructure development, tourism, education, and economic growth in the state.
At a public function held at the IOCL Stadium, Samrat Choudhary laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several development schemes.
Addressing a large gathering during the public dialogue program, he reiterated the Bihar government’s commitment to strengthening education, expanding infrastructure, creating employment opportunities, and securing a brighter future for the state’s youth.
Emphasizing the government’s vision for educational transformation, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the slogan, “Bihar will read; only then will Bihar progress.”
He announced that digital learning initiatives such as the FILO App, Bihar School Live Classes, and Smart Class programs would be further expanded to provide students with access to modern, technology-enabled education and improve learning outcomes across the state.
EOM.
