Patna, Aug 19 — Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary visited the Balua Bazar in Supaul district on Wednesday to attend a programme marking the death anniversary of former Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra.
During the visit, Chief Minister Choudhary unveiled a statue of Jagannath Mishra near the state government-run Lalit Narayan High School and paid tribute to the former Chief Minister.
A large number of local residents and public representatives attended the programme.
After the statue unveiling, the Chief Minister inspected the ongoing Kosi-Mechi Inter-State Link Project.
He sought updates from officials regarding the progress of construction and directed them to speed up the work while maintaining quality and adhering to the stipulated timeline.
Once the Kosi-Mechi link project is completed, it will immensely benefit the common people of Supaul and other adjoining districts.
He subsequently held a review meeting with district officials and issued further instructions concerning the project's implementation.
The district administration made elaborate arrangements for the visit under the supervision of District Magistrate Sawan Kumar and Superintendent of Police Sharath RS.
A temporary helipad was constructed on the Lalit Narayan High School premises, while arrangements were made for security, parking and traffic management.
During the visit of the Chief Minister, Cabinet Minister and son of late Jagannath Mishra, Nitish Mishra, and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, along with several MPs, MLAs and other public representatives, were also present.
During the programme, residents raised a long-standing demand for Balua to be granted block status.
The Chief Minister was apprised of the demand, with locals expressing hope for a favourable government decision.
Jagannath Mishra, who was born in Balua Bazar on June 24, 1937, served as Bihar's Chief Minister three times -- 1975–77, 1980–83 and 1989–90 -- and also served as a Union minister.
He died on August 19, 2019, and local residents have since commemorated his death anniversary each year.