During his Pragati Yatra visit to Begusarai, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated 214 projects worth Rs 1.81 billion and laid the foundation for 427 projects valued at Rs 3.82 billion. The ceremonies were held at the newly constructed block-cum-circle office in Begusarai town. 

Key highlights included Kumar’s announcement of the Begusarai bypass road, designed to connect Simaria to Lakhminia via Bind Toli, easing congestion on NH-31. Kumar personally visited Sihma village to assess implementation challenges. He also conducted an aerial survey of the Kabar Wetland, Asia’s largest freshwater lake and Bihar's first Ramsar site. The revival plan includes dredging and desilting to enhance connectivity between water bodies, aiming to transform the wetland into a major tourist destination. Kumar described it as "a biodiversity treasure and a haven for migratory birds." 

The CM also announced plans to develop the Simaria Kalpavas Mela into a cultural hub akin to Mithila Haat. Additional road projects included a bypass connecting Bakhri in Begusarai to Bahadurpur in Khagaria and the widening of the Teghra-Mubarakpur road. 

Earlier in Maniappa village, Kumar inaugurated a Panchayat Sarkar Bhavan and a sports ground. He interacted with girls undergoing martial arts training, promoting self-defense initiatives, and met with Jeevika Didis at self-help group stalls, distributing token cheques for subsidies. 

At Manjhaul, Kumar inaugurated a Rs 100 million, 75-bed sub-divisional hospital to improve healthcare services in the region. The visit concluded with a review meeting with district officials to assess the progress of ongoing development schemes. Kumar was accompanied by Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, ministers, and senior officials. 

(TOI)