Samrat accelerates industrial drive, clears key cement projects

Patna: Stepping up his push to accelerate industrialisation in Bihar after taking charge, chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday announced approval for major cement projects by Dalmia Cement and Ambuja Cement in Muzaffarpur and Kishanganj, saying the investments marked the beginning of “a new chapter in industrial investment” in the state.

The approvals were granted during the 67th meeting of the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), recently held in Patna. Samrat said the projects would boost industrial growth and generate employment, particularly in Seemanchal, where industrial opportunities have remained limited for decades.

“Along with these, 16 projects received Stage-1 clearance and four projects were granted financial approval at the SIPB meeting. The youth of Seemanchal no longer need to leave their homes for employment; industries are now coming right to their doorsteps,” Samrat said in a detailed post on X.

He added, “Bihar is changing, because our resolve is unwavering.”

According to industries department officials, Ambuja Concrete North Private Limited received approval to establish a cement unit with a production capacity of 8,219 metric tonnes per day at Mahwal industrial area in Muzaffarpur with an investment of Rs 1,114 crore. The proposed project is expected to significantly strengthen industrial activity in north Bihar and create direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Dalmia Cement (North East) Limited was granted approval for a cement unit with a capacity of 2.5 million metric tonnes per annum in Kishanganj with an investment of Rs 573 crore. Another proposal by Dalmia Bharat Green Vision Limited for a cement unit of the same capacity at Mahwal, Muzaffarpur, involving an investment of Rs 573 crore, also received clearance from the board.

In another post on X, Samrat said Bihar had taken “a historic step” towards becoming a national hub for food processing with approval for the country’s third National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) at Hajipur in Vaishali district. The institute will be developed over 100 acres.

“This institute will elevate food processing, research, technical education and entrepreneurship to new heights, and open doors to new opportunities for our farmers, youth and entrepreneurs,” Samrat said.

Industries department secretary Kundan Kumar said Bihar was increasingly emerging as a preferred destination for industrial investment because of the state govt’s investor-friendly policies and faster clearances.

“The Stage-1 clearance approval granted to two major cement projects of the Dalmia Group and one of Ambuja at the SIPB meeting is a symbol of this confidence,” Kumar said.

He added that the projects approved at the meeting would accelerate industrial growth, employment generation and regional economic activity across the state.