Patna, July 28: Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary officially inaugurated the Shravan Mela 2026 on Tuesday at the Namami Gange Ghat in Sultan Ganj, Bhagalpur district, with a ceremonial worship and lighting of lamps. He emphasized that the Shravan Mela is not just a festival of faith but a vibrant symbol of Bihar’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual tradition. The state government is fully committed to ensuring the convenience, safety, and better arrangements for the pilgrims.
CM Chaudhary announced plans for an international airport in Sultan Ganj, considering the potential for religious tourism. A ropeway will be constructed from Ajgaibinath to Agwani Ghat, and a Ganga Path (Marine Drive) spanning approximately 83 kilometers will be developed from Bhagalpur to Munger. Additionally, there will be an expansion of industrial corridors, new townships, and tourism facilities in the region.
He stated that the construction of the Agwani-Sultan Ganj Ganga Bridge will be completed by December 31, 2027, without fail. The construction of a four-lane road from Sultan Ganj to Deoghar will also commence at a rapid pace after the monsoon. Furthermore, the process for a new railway line from Sultan Ganj to Deoghar is already underway. He mentioned that ghats will be developed on both sides of Ajgaibinath Dham, similar to those in Haridwar, to enhance facilities for pilgrims. The Ajgaibinath Dham area will be transformed into a major center for religious tourism, with plans for dolphin tourism, a Ganga Park, and a ropeway project.
The Chief Minister also announced the development of Vikramshila Township in the Nathnagar area and the ‘Ang Township’ in the Bariyarpur-Munger region. Industrial corridors will be established in Goradih and Asarganj to create new job and investment opportunities. He highlighted significant steps taken in education, with degree colleges opened in 211 blocks lacking such institutions. Model schools have been established in 551 locations, providing modern facilities and online teachers for students preparing for competitive exams like NEET and JEE.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing employment for one crore people over the next five years. Bihar is rapidly progressing towards fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s dream of a prosperous Bihar.
Describing the Shravan Mela as the world’s largest center of faith, the Chief Minister noted that millions of devotees undertake a pilgrimage from Sultan Ganj to Deoghar, united in a single purpose and the chant of ‘Bol Bam,’ showcasing a remarkable example of social harmony and faith. All departments, including tourism, are working in coordination to facilitate the pilgrims, with local residents also actively assisting the devotees.
During the event, a documentary showcasing the preparations for the Shravan Mela was screened. The Chief Minister also launched a booklet from the tourism department and introduced the Shravan Mela app, which will provide pilgrims with all travel-related information.
Local representatives welcomed the Chief Minister with bouquets and shawls. Earlier, he inaugurated a service camp on the Kanwariya Path in Sultan Ganj, stating that the Shravan Mela is not only a festival of faith but also a grand celebration of service for millions of devotees. The Bihar government is ensuring safe, convenient, and comfortable travel for pilgrims, with arrangements for health, drinking water, rest, security, and other necessities. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that, with the cooperation of the administration and local people, this year’s Shravan Mela will be even more organized and convenient for the pilgrims.
The event was attended by Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Dr. Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, Tourism Minister Kedar Prasad Gupta, Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar, MPs Ajay Mandal and Giridhari Yadav, MLAs Mithun Kumar Yadav, Shubhanand Mukesh, Lalit Narayan Mandal, and other representatives, along with senior officials and a large number of devotees.
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