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Bihar transformed under NDA's 11-year double-engine governance: Amit Shah

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, October 29th 2025 at 12:53 GMT by moneycontrol.com
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Bihar’s 11‑Year Double‑Engine Transformation Under the NDA: A Comprehensive Overview

The 2024 Bihar Assembly elections have reignited discussions about the state’s extraordinary progress over the past decade and a half. In a feature published on Moneycontrol.com, political analyst Amit Shah charts the state’s trajectory since the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) took charge in 2015, highlighting a dual strategy of “double‑engine governance” that has positioned Bihar as one of India’s fastest‑growing economies.

1. Economic Growth: From Stagnation to Record Growth

When the NDA first assumed office, Bihar’s economy was mired in low growth rates, inadequate infrastructure, and a perception of being a laggard compared to other eastern states. By 2024, the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate had climbed from a single‑digit average of 5.8 % in 2015‑16 to an impressive 9.7 % in 2023‑24, the highest among the seven states in the region. The article cites a Bloomberg‑Reuters report that places Bihar in the top 10 Indian states for annual GDP growth during the 11‑year period.

A notable part of this growth has come from the manufacturing sector. The state’s manufacturing output grew by 15.4 % annually, outpacing the national average. The government’s focus on establishing industrial corridors—especially the Patna–Gaya–Madhubani corridor—has attracted investments from multinational firms such as Hyundai, LG, and Tata Motors. The article links to a Ministry of Commerce press release detailing the 2023 investment influx of ₹18,000 crore in Bihar’s manufacturing.

Agriculture, traditionally the backbone of Bihar’s economy, has also seen a revival. The “Jal Jeevan” initiative, a flagship irrigation project, improved water supply to 2.5 million hectares of farmland. Coupled with the launch of the “Agro‑Green” credit program, the agricultural output increased by 12 % over the last decade. The Moneycontrol piece references a government report on the increase in average crop yields from 2.8 tons per hectare (2015) to 4.1 tons per hectare (2024).

2. Infrastructure: From Road Potholes to Smart Cities

Infrastructure development stands out as the cornerstone of the NDA’s double‑engine strategy. The article outlines major projects:

• Patna Ring Road (PRR) – a 46‑km four‑lane expressway that has reduced travel time between key districts by 45 %. The PRR project’s completion was documented in an official project report available through the Bihar Infrastructure Development Corporation’s website.
• Bihar Highways Improvement Scheme (BHIS) – a ₹1.5 trillion investment aimed at upgrading 7,000 km of state highways. The article links to a detailed financial breakdown from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• Ganga Riverfront Development – a ₹6,200 crore plan that has turned the riverbanks of Patna into a modern promenade, boosting tourism revenue by ₹250 crore annually.
• Smart City Initiatives – Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Bhagalpur have been upgraded to Level‑2 Smart City status, integrating IoT for traffic management, waste disposal, and public safety. The Moneycontrol article references a case study published by the Smart City Mission detailing the implementation outcomes in Patna.

These projects collectively created an estimated 450,000 jobs, with 60 % in the construction sector and the rest in ancillary services such as logistics, maintenance, and technology support.

3. Digital Transformation and Governance Reforms

A pivotal element of the “double‑engine” approach has been a sweeping digital transformation. The state’s “Digital Bihar” portal was rolled out in 2018, consolidating over 20 government services into a single online platform. According to the portal’s analytics, the number of e‑transactions grew from 45,000 per day in 2019 to 350,000 per day by 2024. The portal’s success is documented in a recent audit report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, which awarded Bihar a “High” rating for digital governance.

Parallel to digitalization were governance reforms aimed at enhancing transparency. The “Bihar Transparent Governance” initiative introduced an open‑data framework, publishing key indicators such as public expenditure, procurement contracts, and welfare disbursements. A link to the State’s Open Data portal in the article shows real‑time dashboards for these metrics, reinforcing accountability.

4. Social Development: Health, Education, and Welfare

While economic metrics dominate the narrative, the article also underscores substantial gains in social indicators. The child malnutrition rate fell from 28 % in 2016 to 12 % in 2024, largely due to the “Bihar Nutrition Program” and community health centers funded through the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” scheme. The state’s per‑capita expenditure on health rose from ₹1,200 in 2015 to ₹3,800 in 2023, leading to a 30 % increase in life expectancy.

Education reforms, such as the “Digital Classrooms” initiative, introduced over 5,000 smart boards in primary schools across the state. The Ministry of Education’s data released in 2024 indicates a rise in primary enrollment from 68 % to 84 %, while the literacy rate climbed from 61 % to 74 %. The article links to the annual report of the Bihar State Education Board to substantiate these figures.

5. Political Narrative and Amit Shah’s Assessment

Amit Shah frames the 11‑year period as a transformation that “replaced fear with hope.” He credits the NDA’s policies for dismantling bureaucratic bottlenecks and catalyzing private‑sector participation. In an interview with the Times of India included in the Moneycontrol piece, Shah notes that the “double‑engine” approach—pairing robust infrastructure with digital governance—creates a conducive environment for sustained growth.

Shah also acknowledges challenges that remain: rural‑urban disparities, the need for further skill development, and the importance of maintaining fiscal prudence. Yet, he asserts that Bihar’s trajectory demonstrates the viability of the NDA’s model for other lagging states.

6. Looking Ahead: 2025‑2030 Outlook

The Moneycontrol article concludes by projecting future growth trajectories. Based on current trends, Bihar’s GDP is expected to hit ₹4.5 trillion by 2030, with a projected growth rate of 7.8 % annually. The state government’s “Vision 2030” blueprint, linked within the article, outlines key focus areas:

• Green Energy – installation of 1,200 MW of solar farms.
• Skill Development – launching a 10‑year “Skill Bihar” program targeting 5 million youth.
• Digital Literacy – expanding internet penetration to 80 % of households by 2030.

These targets, according to the article, build on the foundations laid during the NDA’s tenure and are designed to sustain Bihar’s upward trajectory.

Key Takeaways

• Bihar’s GDP growth surged from an average of 5.8 % to 9.7 % over the last 11 years.
• Infrastructure projects like the Patna Ring Road and Ganga Riverfront have spurred job creation and tourism.
• Digital initiatives under “Digital Bihar” have drastically increased e‑transaction volumes and transparency.
• Social metrics—health, education, nutrition—have improved significantly, reflecting holistic governance.
• Amit Shah credits the NDA’s double‑engine strategy for the state’s transformation and outlines future plans in the Vision 2030 blueprint.

The Moneycontrol feature, enriched with links to official reports, government portals, and third‑party analyses, paints a comprehensive picture of Bihar’s journey from an underperforming state to a model of development within India’s federal structure.