LATEST NEWS: BIHAR CABINET GREENLIGHTS MEGA MAKEOVER: RS.3,516 CRORE APPROVED FOR GAYA’S VISHNUPAD CORRIDOR AND SON–FALGU RIVER LINK, TO BOOST TOURISM IN THE STATE

BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY

PATNA | 15 SEPTEMBER 2026

In a major push to transform Bihar’s spiritual landscape and boost regional economy, the state government has officially granted administrative approval for infrastructure projects worth Rs.3,516.05 crore targeting the historic city of Gaya.

The extensive development package includes Rs.2,520 crore for a comprehensive upgrade of the iconic Vishnupad Temple Complex alongside a Rs.996.05 crore allocation for the Son–Falgu River Linking Project. The decisions were formalised during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

A Kashi-Style Corridor for Gaya:

The revamp of the ancient Vishnupad Temple complex will be modelled directly on the highly successful Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi. As a premier global destination for Hindu rituals, the temple attracts lakhs of domestic and international tourists annually, particularly during the peak Pitru Paksha Mela. Devotees travel from around the world to perform sacred ancestral rites including Pind Daan and Tarpan.

The upcoming corridor aims to modernise pilgrim management, expand pedestrian pathways, and introduce world-class amenities to seamlessly accommodate the massive yearly influx of visitors.

Reviving the Falgu River

Parallel to the temple’s structural facelift, the Son–Falgu River Linking Project will address long-standing water scarcity issues in the region. By channeling water from the Son River into the Falgu River basin via reservoirs and networks, the project ensures a sustainable, year-round water supply. This ecological intervention is critical for devotees, as access to flowing water is integral to successfully performing the traditional rituals along the river banks.

Socio-Economic Windfall Expected:

State officials emphasize that these twin projects will breathe new life into Gaya’s thousands of years old spiritual, religious, and cultural traditions. Beyond preservation, the massive financial infusion is projected to drastically accelerate the socio-economic framework of the entire Gaya district. The expected boom in spiritual tourism will unlock vital employment opportunities, elevate hospitality infrastructure, and foster robust local business growth, permanently elevating Gaya’s global identity.

Vishnupad Temple Complex Development:

The Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited will implement a comprehensive Rs.2,520 crore redevelopment of the Vishnupad Temple Complex, modeled after Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.

The proposed works include:

• Infrastructure & Access: Construction of an elevated pathway, a pedestrian bridge, the Mansarwa-Manpur Bridge, and entry ramps.
• Visitor Facilities: Development of two multi-level car parks, dormitories, a canteen, public restrooms, and a P.F.T. area.
• Ghat & Religious Sites: Redevelopment of the main temple complex, ghat areas, and Sita Kund.
• Civic Amenities: Installation of public utilities, modern facility upgrades, pre-construction activities, and ancillary works.

Son–Falgu River Linking Project

This Rs.996.05 crore water management initiative aims to divert water from the Son River to the Falgu River basin through a multi-stage transport system.

The project pipeline includes:

• Water Extraction: Building an intake well 23 kilometers upstream of the Indrapuri Barrage.
• Pipeline Delivery: Lifting and transporting the water through an 11-kilometer pipeline.
• Canal Integration: Discharging the water into the North Koel Main Canal at the 32.77-kilometer mark.
• Natural Flow: Allowing the diverted water to flow naturally through the Right Main Canal to its tail end.

The Council of Ministers has approved two major infrastructure projects in the Gaya district with a combined budget of Rs.3,516.05 crore (Three Thousand Five Hundred Sixteen Crore Five Lakh).

The total funding is split across two core initiatives:

• The Vishnupad Temple Complex Development (Rs.2,520 crore): A comprehensive redevelopment of the temple complex in Gaya, modeled after the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi.
• The Son–Falgu River Linking Project (Rs.996.05 crore): A water diversion initiative implemented by the Water Resources Department.

Son–Falgu Project Workflow:

1. Water Diversion: Excess water from the tail end of the North Koel Main Canal will flow through an escape channel into the Morhar River.
2. Storage: An artificial reservoir with a 10 Million Cubic Metre (MCM) capacity will be built on the Morhar River to hold the water.
3. Pipeline Conveyance: To meet regional irrigation needs, water will be lifted from the reservoir and pumped through a new 22-kilometer pipeline.
4. Discharge: The pipeline will empty into the Falgu River (Niranjana) upstream of Bodh Gaya.