Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has announced an architecture university in Muzaffarpur while inaugurating a Rs 140 crore leather, footwear and accessories cluster aimed at expanding local manufacturing and employment in the state.
The Shaheed Jubba Sahni architecture university was announced during a programme at the Mahal industrial area in Motipur block, where the chief minister also inaugurated a common facility centre linked to the cluster. The project is intended to support industrial growth and create jobs in Bihar, according to the announcement reported by Times of India – Patna.
Choudhary said around 12 lakh people from Bihar travel outside the state for work. He said the government’s objective was to create more employment within the state by expanding its industrial network, promoting micro, small and medium enterprises and encouraging heavy industries.
“The government’s priority is not merely to receive industrial proposals but to ensure that factories are actually established in Bihar, creating jobs for local people,” Choudhary said, while inviting entrepreneurs to invest in the state.
The chief minister said investor proposals would be examined and sector-specific policies introduced within 30 days wherever required. He also directed the Muzaffarpur district administration to ensure timely availability of land for industrial projects. Entrepreneurs who voluntarily provide land for industrial development would receive compensation 10% above the prescribed amount under the existing policy, he said.
During the programme, industrial units were handed sheds and land allotment letters. The state industries department also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Footwear Design and Development Institute to promote skill development and strengthen the footwear industry.
The announcements place the proposed architecture university alongside a broader effort to build sector-specific industrial and skills infrastructure in north Bihar. Industrial clusters are planned for Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga, while an integrated manufacturing cluster is being developed in Gaya, the chief minister said.
Muzaffarpur’s industrial plans are also linked to connectivity and logistics. Choudhary said better road and transport connections, along with dry-port-like facilities, would help businesses in the district reach domestic and international markets. He said rapid rail connectivity was being pursued between Muzaffarpur and Patna, and between Patna and Gaya. The proposed links could reduce travel time between Muzaffarpur and Patna to 30-40 minutes and between Patna and Gaya to approximately one to one-and-a-half hours.
The state is also seeking to attract data-centre investment. Choudhary said Bihar aimed to develop data centres with a combined capacity of 1,000 MW by 2030, potentially attracting investments of around Rs 10 lakh crore. He said a 12 MW data centre established by CtrlS had already been launched in Patna.
Power availability was presented as another part of the industrial expansion plan. Choudhary said electricity supply in Bihar had increased from less than 500 MW in the past to around 10,000 MW at present. The government aims to provide about 10,000 MW of electricity to the industrial sector over the next five years, he said.
The programme was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, industries minister Shreyasi Singh, other ministers, legislators, senior officials and entrepreneurs. The announcement did not specify the proposed university’s establishment timeline, campus location, academic structure or funding arrangements.
