Patna (ABN) On the second day of the budget session of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, the state government presented the budget for the financial year 2026-27. Finance Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav presented the budget in the assembly at 2 pm. This is the first full budget of the Nitish Kumar government after the assembly elections, and it has significant expectations related to the development, employment, and infrastructure of the state.

The state government has announced several ambitious projects to modernize the public transport and transportation system. According to the project, 100% of diesel-powered public buses will be converted to CNG and electric vehicles. Additionally, more than 500 green bus stops will be introduced across the state, and over 2,000 public charging stations will be set up. The goal is to establish CNG stations and charging facilities for heavy vehicle drivers, covering all blocks and gram panchayats in the state. Furthermore, more than 1,000 pollution checking centers and one driving test track will be established in each sub-division.

Expansion of Clean Fuel and Electric Buses
Under the Bihar Clean Fuel Scheme 2023, 38 private diesel-powered city buses in Patna district have been converted to CNG-powered buses. To control vehicle pollution, the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation operates 266 CNG and 25 electric buses. There are plans to run 400 electric buses under the Pradhan Mantri Electric Bus Yojana for public transportation in major cities like Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, and Purnia.

Promotion of Electric Vehicles and Charging Facilities
The Bihar Electric Vehicle Policy will encourage various types of electric vehicles and charging stations. Incentives and tax exemptions will be provided for vehicle purchases. Additionally, an incentive scheme has been implemented to ensure that all blocks are covered by vehicle pollution checking centers.

Rural and Block Transportation Schemes
Under the Chief Minister Village Transportation Scheme, approximately 45,900 beneficiaries have been provided with three-wheeler subsidies, and 670 beneficiaries have been provided with ambulance subsidies to provide employment to unemployed youth in all panchayats across the state. Under the Chief Minister Block Transportation Scheme, 200 beneficiaries will receive bus subsidies to provide better transportation facilities in blocks. Furthermore, the Chief Minister Driver Welfare Scheme 2024 has been notified to enhance the social and economic well-being and performance of drivers and their families.

Women and Training Initiatives
Currently, a total of 100 pink buses are operating in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, and Purnia, specifically for women. Additionally, under the Motor Vehicle Driving Training Institute Incentive Scheme, a grant of Rs 20 lakh is being provided to establish a motor vehicle driving training institute. So far, grants have been provided to beneficiaries for the construction of 35 motor vehicle driving training institutes in 29 districts.

In the previous budget, the government had made several major announcements for the transport department. A plan was made to run 400 electric buses in major cities, including Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Gaya.