Last updated: Dec, 2023
Introduction
Bihar is located in the eastern part of India. The state is surrounded by Nepal in the north, West Bengal in the east, Uttar Pradesh in the west, and Jharkhand in the south. The state enjoys a unique location-specific advantage because of its proximity to the vast markets of eastern and northern India, access to ports such as Kolkata and Haldia, and to raw material sources and mineral reserves from the neighbouring states.
In 2023-24, Bihar’s GSDP at current prices is projected to be Rs. 8.59 trillion (US$ 104.62 billion). The state’s GSDP expanded at a CAGR (in Rs.) of 11.03% between 2015-16 and 2023-24.
Bihar has witnessed strong growth in per capita net state domestic product. At current prices, the per capita NSDP of the state grew at a CAGR of 8.45% (in Rs.) between 2015-16 and 2021-22.
Bihar is one of the strongest agricultural states in the country. The percentage of the population employed in agricultural production in Bihar is around 80%, which is much higher than the national average. It is the fourth-largest producer of vegetables and the eighth-largest producer of fruits in India. Food processing, dairy, sugar, manufacturing, and healthcare are some of the fastest-growing industries in the state. The state has planned initiatives for the development of other sectors such as education and tourism and provides incentives for information technology and renewable energy projects.
Recent Developments in Key Sectors
- In 2023, education and the rural sector get top priority in Bihar’s US$ 31.78 billion (Rs 2.61 lakh crore) Budget.
- In September 2022, to lessen the burden on children, the Bihar government decided to mandate a games period at least once a week and a "no-bag day" policy in schools.
- In September 2022, the Bihar Cabinet approved a plan to increase the state's medical infrastructure by adding some 8,000 posts in government medical colleges and hospitals.
- In Bihar, as of April 2022, over 100,000 farmers have been educated with climate-resilient agricultural methods since a pilot project was launched for this purpose in 2019 across 40 villages in eight districts.
- Under the State Budget 2022-23:
- Rs. 8,365 crore (US$ 1.09 billion) was allocated towards roads and bridges.
- Rs. 11,376 crore (US$ 1.48 billion) was allocated for the energy department.
- Rs. 7,133 crore (US$ 932 million) has been allocated for urban development.
- Rs. 40,828 crore (US$ 5.33 billion) allocated towards the education, sports, art and culture sectors.
- Rs. 15,898 crore (US$ 2.07 billion) allocated towards health and family welfare.
- Rs. 7,712 crore (US$ 1 billion) towards agriculture and allied activities.
- In February 2022, Minister of Port, Shipping and Waterways, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, laid the foundation stone for Bihar’s first intermodal inland waterways cargo terminal at Kalughat near Sonepur in the Saran district.
- In February 2022, Chief Minister of Bihar, Mr. Nitish Kumar, and Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Mr. Nitin Gadkari, jointly inaugurated a 14.5 km approach road to Munger rail-cum-bridge that cost Rs. 696 crore (US$ 90.94 million).
- In Bihar, road work worth Rs. 30,000 crore (US$ 4.06 billion) is undergoing. For compensation against land acquisitions, a total of Rs. 4,600 crore (US$ 621.81 million) has been announced.
- By 2023, a 7-km four-lane Koshi bridge worth Rs. 1478 crore (US$ 199.79 million) is likely to be constructed.
- In September 2021, the Chief Minister of Bihar, Mr. Nitish Kumar, laid the foundation stones for a 2.20-km double-decker flyover from Kargil Chowk to NIT. This double-decker flyover, which will take three years to construct, is expected to cost Rs. 422 crore (US$ 57.60 million).
- In August 2021, the Indian Railways announced plans to run 28 pairs of special trains connecting important cities of the state with the rest of the country, soon after the Bihar government relaxed COVID-19 restrictions.
- In March 2021, the Ministry of Aviation announced that the Darbhanga Airport in Bihar is being expanded under the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme.
- In January 2021, the road construction department decided to build bypass roads at 120 urban locations across the state, under the Saat Nischay Part-2 programme, with the aim to ease traffic congestion.
- The total length of roads is 708 kilometres, with the cost estimated at Rs. 4,154 crore (US$ 559.99 million).
- At Patna's Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport, >26.75% work on a new domestic terminal building and other auxiliary facilities has been completed, as of August 2021. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been given Rs. 1,216.9 crore (US$ 166.09 million) by the Central Government for the redevelopment project, which is expected to be completed by December 2023.
- Sugarcane is grown in approximately 6% of the total area under cultivation in Bihar. Sugarcane production in the state for 2018-19 (P) stood at 182.85 lakh MT. During sugar season 2019-20, 11 sugar mills were operating in the state of Bihar. During 2019-20, 220.50 lakh MT sugar is estimated to have been produced in Bihar.
- In FY22, Bihar exported US$ 6.35 million worth of sugar.
