Bihar Current Affairs 2024
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Bihar Current Affairs 2024! Staying updated with the latest happenings in your state is crucial, especially if you’re preparing for upcoming competitive exams like BPSC, SSC, UPSC, RRB NTPC, RAILWAY, BANK, CDS, and other state-level exams. This blog provides a month-wise list of important events and updates in Bihar, all presented in easy-to-understand one-liners. Perfect for quick revision and making sure you’re ready to ace your exams! Let’s dive into the latest state-related current affairs and boost your preparation.
August 2024
- Under the Namami Gange Mission 2.0, the Government of India operationalized 4 major projects in the first quarter of FY 2024-25, costing Rs. 920 crores. One of these projects in Munger, Bihar, aims to improve the sewer network and construct a sewage treatment Plant (STP) at an estimated cost of Rs. 366 crores.
- The Munger project in Bihar includes a 175 km sewerage network and a 30 MLD capacity Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP).
- As per National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) (2019-21), the percentage of women aged 20-24 years married before the age of 18 has decreased from 26.8% in NFHS-4 to 23.3%, with child marriage prevalence exceeding 40% in Bihar, Tripura, and West Bengal.
- Researchers have identified medicinal plants, including Gymnema sylvestre (Gurmar), on Brahmayoni Hill, which is located in Bihar.
- Bihar became the first state to announce menstrual leave for working women in both public and private sectors.
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) proposal to develop a new civil enclave at Bihta, Patna, with an estimated cost of Rs. 1,413 crores.
- Bihar police recently seized approximately 50 grams of californium, a synthetic radioactive metal.
- Maharashtra and Bihar have been recognized as top performers in the MSME Competitive LEAN Scheme, and Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi achieved significant certifications in the ZED program.
July 2024
- The second phase of building the ‘Viraat Ramayan Mandir’ has recently begun in Bihar.
- Bihar has approved its first film promotion policy to support moviemakers and cinema enthusiasts.
- Bihar has achieved 96.08% progress towards Har Ghar Jal status.
- Radio Mayur from District Saran, Bihar won the first prize under Thematic Awards at the 10th National Community Radio Awards for “Tech Sakhi.”
- Radio Active from Bhagalpur, Bihar secured the third prize in the Promoting Local Culture Award at the 10th National Community Radio Awards for “Ang Pradesh ki Adbut Dharohar.”
May to June 2024
- Bihar has decided to release a ‘Special Cover’ to commemorate 250 years of the release of the ‘Copper Ticket’, the world’s first postal ticket.
- Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) signed an MoU with Jeevika, Bihar State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM), and UMED, Maharashtra-SRLM to extend the Prayaas scheme to Self-Help Group (SHG) individual women through Cluster Level Federations.
- Kesariya Stupa, located in East Champaran, Bihar, was recently in the news as it is considered to be the largest and tallest Buddhist stupa in the world.
- Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries in Bihar have been recognized as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar, constructed at a cost of Rs 1,749 crore.
March 2024
One-Liner Updates
- PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Unity Mall in Patna.
- PM inaugurated projects under Namami Gange in Bihar, developed at a cost of about Rs 2,190 crore.
- Projects include a Sewage Treatment Plant at Saidpur & Pahari.
- Brajesh Mehrotra has been appointed as the new chief secretary of Bihar.
Infrastructure and Development Projects in Bihar
Oil and Gas Sector Projects
- Overall Worth: Rs 1.48 lakh crore across India, with Rs 14,000 crore in Bihar.
- Expansion of Barauni Refinery: Project Cost: More than Rs 11,400 crore
- Inaugurations: Grid Infrastructure at Barauni Refinery, Paradip–Haldia–Durgapur LPG Pipeline extension to Patna and Muzaffarpur.
Fertilizer Plant
- Inaugurated Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL) Fertilizer Plant
- Location: Barauni, Begusarai, Bihar
- Cost: More than Rs 9500 crore
- Significance: The fourth fertilizer plant was revived in India; previous revivals include Sindri (Jharkhand), Gorakhpur, and Ramagundam (Telangana).
Railway Projects
- Total Worth: About Rs 3917 crore
Key Projects
- Gauge Conversion: Raghopur – Forbesganj
- Doubling of Rail Lines: Mukuria-Katihar-Kumedpur
- Additional Lines: Barauni-Bachhwara 3rd and 4th lines
- Electrification: Katihar-Jogbani rail section
New Train Services Flagged Off
- Danapur-Jogbani Express (via Darbhanga–Sakri)
- Jogbani-Saharsa Express
- Sonpur-Vaishali Express
- Jogbani-Siliguri Express
Other Major Projects
Bharat Pashudhan
- Purpose: Digital database for livestock animals in India
- Developed Under: National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM)
- Features: Unique 12-digit Tag ID for each livestock animal; 29.6 crore out of 30.5 crore bovines already tagged.
1962 Farmers App
- Function: Records data and information from the Bharat Pashudhan database.
LPG Pipeline and Bottling Plant
Inauguration of Muzaffarpur-Motihari LPG Pipeline
- Total Length: 109 Km
- The pipeline will act as a strategic supply point for exporting petroleum products to Nepal.
- It will serve 8 districts of North Bihar: East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Muzaffarpur, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, and Madhubani.
Indian Oil’s LPG Bottling Plant & Storage Terminal at Motihari
- Enhances the capacity for LPG bottling and storage in the region.
Foundation Stones Laid for Various Projects
City Gas Distribution Project
- Regions Covered: East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, and Deoria
Grain-based Ethanol Projects
- Locations: HCPCL’s facilities at Sugauli & Lauriya
Road Infrastructure Projects
Inaugurated Projects
- Two-Laning of Piprakothi – Motihari – Raxaul Section: NH-28A with paved shoulder
- Two-Laning of Sheohar-Sitamarhi Section: NH-104
Foundation Stones Laid
- Construction of Six-Lane Cable Bridge: On the Ganga River, parallel to the Digha-Sonepur Rail-cum-Road Bridge at Patna
- Four-Laning of Bakarpur Hat-Manikpur Section: NH-19 Bypass
Railway Infrastructure Projects
Inaugurated Projects
- Doubling of Rail Line: 62 km from Bapudham Motihari to Piprahan
- Gauge Conversion: Narkatiaganj-Gaunaha
Foundation Stones Laid
- Doubling and Electrification: 96 km long Gorakhpur Cantt to Valmiki Nagar rail line
- Redevelopment of Bettiah Railway Station
New Train Services Flagged Off
- Routes: Narkatiaganj to Gaunaha and Raxaul to Jogbani
Recent Initiatives by PM Narendra Modi
Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD Schemes
- PM Modi launched multiple initiatives under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes worth more than Rs 1400 crore, focusing on Bihar’s cultural and spiritual tourism.
Development Projects in Bihar
- Spiritual Circuit: Enhancements in key spiritual sites across Bihar.
- Rural Circuit: Upgrades to rural tourism facilities to attract visitors.
- Tirthankar Circuit: Development of pilgrimage routes and amenities in Bihar.
Recent MoU to Support Livelihood Intervention
- Non-Financial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Ministry of Rural Development and BFIL
Key Points
- Objective: To support the livelihood intervention of DAY-NRLM (National Rural Livelihoods Mission) by aligning activities in livestock and fisheries development.
Initiatives in Bihar
- State Project Monitoring Unit (PMU): A dedicated PMU will be established in Bihar to oversee and support the activities of DAY-NRLM.
- Specialist Team: The PMU will include specialists in livestock and market linkage to enhance project effectiveness.
- Strengthening Pashu Sakhis: BFIL will work to strengthen Pashu Sakhis, who are village-level extension workers, to provide basic healthcare support to animals in Bihar.
January to February 2024
- Andhra Pradesh has become the second state after Bihar to conduct a caste census.
- Former Chief Minister of Bihar, Karpoori Thakur, will be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna 2024, making the total recipients 49.
- Nitish Kumar took oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record ninth time.
- Bihar Disaster Management Authority launched the “Novel Initiative Technological Intervention for Safety of Human Lives” (NITISH) device.
- Begusarai has become the first district in Bihar to equip all Gram Panchayats with Wi-Fi services under the PM-WANI Scheme.
- Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the Kalughat IWT (Inland Waterway Transport) Terminal in Saran district.
- Nagi Bird Festival 2024 was organized in Jamui district with the mascot Picu Pochard.
- PM laid the foundation stone for a new Government Medical College and inaugurated two medical colleges and hospitals in Patna (Bihar) and Alwar (Rajasthan), including one in Sharif (Bihar).
- Bihar Startup Fund Trust (BSFT) signed an agreement with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to administer the Rs 50-crore Bihar Startup Scale-up Financing Fund (BSSFF).
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