PM Modi to address 2 rallies in poll-bound Bihar, may announce special package of Rs 56,000 cr

New Delhi, Aug 18: Escalating the poll pitch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday will address two rallies one each in Ara, Saharsa district in poll bound Bihar. Speculation is rife that Modi could announce Rs 50,000 crore special package for the State.

Speaking on the big announcement, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said, "Wait for August 18; it will be an important day for Bihar when the prime minister will announce a special package for the state".

Pradhan said that Modi would fulfil the promises he made during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign and at a rally in Patna in 2013.

According to Minister, the Prime Minister will formally announce a special package for Bihar either at Ara or Saharsa.

Reportedly, PM will also lay the foundation stone of a four-lane road connecting Patna and Buxar in Ara, the district headquarters of Bhojpur, about 60 km from Patna.

"Prime Minister, accompanied by Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate and lay foundation stone for 11 National Highways projects involving a length of 720 km at a cost of Rs 6,200 crore in the state," an official said.

Bihar, which is going to Assembly polls later this year, has a network of about one lakh km of roads which includes over 8,500 km of National Highways and State Highways. Under the ongoing projects, part of the old GT Road is being upgraded to 4/6-lane super highway under the Golden Quadrilateral Project.

Bihar portion of Golden Quadrilateral passes through Mohania, Sasaram, Aurangabad, Sherghati and Bhaluachatti. Also, a four-lane high speed corridor is under construction by National Highways Authority of India.

Under the government's flagship road building programme, National Highways Development Project - III, 1,015 kilometers of National Highways have been identified for upgradation to Super Highways under build, operate and transfer scheme providing additional corridors to Nepal and Assam.

This will be BJP's third rally in the state including one each in Muzzaparpur, Gaya district.

Earlier on August 9, Modi had addressed a mega massive Parivartan rally in Gaya district. Declaring war on Nitish & Lalu, Modi had described JD(U) as "Janta ka Daman aur Utpeedan" (Suppression & exploitation of people).

OneIndia news

(with inputs from agency)