Budget 2025: Bihar Gets Makhana Board, Greenfield Airport And More

The government will establish the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management in Bihar to bolster food processing activity, development and to enhance farmer income, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while presenting the Union Budget 2025-26 on Saturday.

The government will also establish the Makhana board in Bihar to improve the production and processing of fox nut, Sitharaman said. The board will provide handholding and trade-related technologies. It will also work to ensure farmers receive benefits of all relevant government schemes.

The government will also set up a National Manufacturing Mission covering small, medium, large industries, she said.

Sitharaman announced that greenfield airports will be set up in Bihar. A modified UDAN scheme to be launched to enhance regional connectivity. She announced financial support for the Western Kosi canal project in the Mithilanchal region of Bihar.

The finance minister said the capacity of Indian Institute of Technology in Patna will be increased as part of the capacity expansion in the IITs through the addition of additional infrastructure in five IITs for 6,500 more students.

She also announced a brownfield airport in Bihta, besides the expansion of the Patna airport.