Mauryan

The economy of the ancient Kingdom of Magadha, under the Mauryan government, depended mainly on agriculture, and the state owned large tracts of farmland for cultivation. The state's other income came from taxes levied on agriculture, land, trade, and products such as handicrafts.^[22]

Mauryan agriculture featured two types of landholdings. One type was Rashtra, a direct descendant of the holdings of former tribal oligarchies who had been subjugated in pre-Mauryan times. The Rashtra landholdings were independent of the state machinery in their internal functioning and administration. Their only obligation was regular payment of Rashtra taxes to the state.

The second major type of landholdings was Sita. These holdings were formed by clearing forests with the help of tribespeople whose way of life had been systematically annihilated by Mauryan statecraft.^[23] Rice, wheat, coarse grains, sesame, pepper, saffron, pulses, linseed, mustard, vegetables, fruits of various kinds, and sugar cane – all were grown on the cleared land. The state owned large farms, which were cultivated by enslaved people and farm labourers. Water reservoirs and dams were built during this period, and water was measured and distributed.^[24]

The chief industries of the time were mining, metallurgy, jewellery, pot making, and textile work. The state often regulated trade. The state especially protected artisans and craftsmen, and any offences against them were severely punished. Guilds were powerful institutions during this period, conferring economic, political, and judicial power on artisans. The chief of a guild was called the Jesthaka. A few guilds issued their own coins. These guilds also made donations to learned Brahmans and to the destitute.^[24]

The Mauryan Empire supplied Western countries with indigo and other medicinal substances, as well as cotton and silk. Trade was conducted via both land and sea. Godowns (an Eastern word for warehouses) were built, and special provisions were made to protect trade routes. In addition, the state controlled weights and measures.^[24]

Sher Shah reforms

During the 1540s, Sher Shah Suri – the ruler of Bihar and northern India – introduced a number of measures, including laws to ensure that peasants were not cheated and that all people were treated equally, regardless of religion or class. His empire stretched from the Bengal region in the east to the Indus River in the west. Sher Shah divided his empire into 47 sarkars (provinces or districts), which were further subdivided into parganas for ease of administration.^[25] These reforms indicated the economic sophistication of the Bihar region during Sher Shah Suri's rule.

Colonial

During the colonial period, the rural and urban economies of Bihar underwent gradual changes and faced challenges to their sustainability. The state's villages were always more than just an agriculture-based model, being rather a holistic, integrated system that gave all people a respectable job and sufficient income. These small-scale industries were directly processing agricultural output, helping villages to become self-sufficient; these industries provided products, food, and services to cities as well. The well-known cities of Bihar – such as Magadh (Gaya), Patliputra, Sitamarhi, Purnea, Bhagalpur, Chhapra and Arrah – acted as prime locations for development of the state economy.

With the advent of external traders and successive invasions –along with internal weaknesses – the village economy began to deteriorate. Cheaply available British finished products, such as clothing, caused this deterioration.

Post-Independence

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1990–2005

Caste and criminalisation

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) – Lalu Prasad Yadav's party – supported social justice, ensuring that politics was dominated by Mandal Commission politics and caste rather than development during this period. Moreover, the criminalisation of politics around this time created a business-unfriendly climate and contributed to economic collapse.^[29][30][31] The most important crisis that business faced was organised kidnapping, which was linked to the ruling RJD party.^[32] The resulting crisis led to a flight of capital, middle-class professionals, and business leaders to other parts of India. Unemployment was increased by the flight of business and capital, leading to the mass migration of Bihari farmers and unemployed youth to more developed states in India.

Structural and fiscal factors

Bihar's share of revenue from the central pool declined by ₹5,000 crore as the centre's revenue collection fell. This decline – coupled with the government's failure to have its plan allocation released, because it could not contribute the required matching non-plan grant – aggravated the state's financial crisis.^[29] The division of Bihar in 2000 – when the industrially advanced and mineral-rich southern half of the state was separated to form the state of Jharkhand – had a strong impact on development in the north, mainly through a loss of revenue. The divided Bihar produces 60% of the output of the undivided Bihar.

Economic indicators under the RJD

In non-agricultural sectors, Bihar's growth rate was 6.62%, compared with 6.61% for India as a whole during the 1980s. During the 1990s, the growth rate in Bihar was 3.19%, while for India it rose to 7.25%. This change was reflected in per capita income as well. Per capita income in Bihar grew by 2.45% during the 1980s, compared with 3.32% in India as a whole. In the 1990s, per capita income grew by 0.12% in Bihar, as against 4.08% in India. The growth rate in agriculture was 2.21% during the 1980s, against India's 3.38%. During the 1990s, it was 2.35% in Bihar, while at the national level it stood at 3.14%.^[29] The economic indicators (see Economic indicators) show that a serious recession occurred between 1990 and 1995; this resulted in a crisis with employment, development and crime between 1995 and 2004.

Leadership of Nitish Kumar

After the politician Nitish Kumar came to power in Bihar, he prioritised creating investment opportunities for large industrial firms such as Reliance Industries. Improvements in law and order, along with a more proactive bureaucracy, led to a gradual improvement in the state's economy. NDTV dubbed this "the quiet transformation".^[34] In January 2009, Nitish Kumar was awarded the CNN-IBN Indian Politician of the Year award for helping to put Bihar on the track to sustainable development and growth.^[35] Again in January 2009, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) Investment Meter stated that the private sector invested over ₹304 crore in Bihar during the third quarter of 2008.^[36]

Policies

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After November 2005, the Government of Bihar introduced several laws, which it hoped would provide a positive contribution to the future development of the state's industries.^{[citation needed]}

Improvements and investments

State GDP from 2004 to 2007

Under President's Rule (February-November 2005) and the current NDA government (November 2005 to date), the state's GSDP has grown at an average rate of 12% per year. Moreover, from 2004 to 2007, the state's GSDP had grown by 22%. The growth rate has led Indian business leaders to visit Patna, with commitments to invest in the state's fast-growing economy.^[51][52] (see Economic indicators)

Credit crisis in 2008–09

Despite the global credit crisis, auto sales and the real-estate sector continued to grow in Bihar. Auto sales grew by 45% to 1,33,000 during the last 11 months of 2008, against 92,147 sold in 2007. Because of the global credit crunch, many Indian states have reported a decline of 20–25%^[53] in automobile sales. Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said, "The rise in sales figures of vehicles in the state at the rate of 45% shows that the recession has not affected the sector at all in the state." November 2008 showed 19,729 vehicle sales across categories, compared with 15,326 in the same period of the previous year. The revenue collection department in Bihar has recorded a 28.02% increase in revenue collection through November 2008. The department collected ₹192.01 crore in 2008, up from ₹149.99 crore in 2007.^[54]

In addition, the real-estate sector earned ₹37 crore in revenue from flat registrations during October and November 2008. Altogether, 3,139 flats were registered, which indicates good cash flow. The global recession has hit the real-estate sector hard in other parts of India, prompting builders to slash rates and offer attractive packages to boost sales.^[55] Key factors in Bihar avoiding the recession include the following: the small industrial base, brought on by political mismanagement in the 1990s; the small-scale nature of the loans sector; and employment being generally with the public sector or businesses that are partly government-owned. The service sector, the other major employer, is less mature than in other Indian states, and it serves a large market. Sushil Kumar Modi added that real-estate prices had risen tremendously since the middle-class population came to dominate the state. Another factor was the large number of development projects that had been launched in Bihar since the NDA government came to power in 2005, attracting many construction companies, builders, and suppliers. In 2008 alone, the state government invested ₹13,500 crore in development projects.^[55][56][57]

Post-COVID era: The beginning of industries

When the COVID-19 pandemic spread across India, it led to lockdowns and industry shutdowns in places such as Maharashtra, Karnataka and West Bengal, where most people from Bihar work. After the pandemic spread, several industries closed down. These shutdowns caused workers to return to their home state. Such returns were a turning point in Bihar: skilled workers started their own manufacturing businesses, beginning in the Champaran region and later in many other parts of the state.^[58]

Kosi floods

During the floods in Bihar in 2008, standing crops worth ₹800 crore were destroyed in the five northern districts of Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Araria and Purnia. Three lakh hectares of cropland were submerged under floodwater.^[59] Up to 3,500 people have been reported as missing^[60]

Public-private partnership

Indian Railways Contract

Indian Railways announced contracts to manufacture electric locomotives in Bihar. The electric locomotives would be manufactured at a factory in Madhepura and the diesel ones at Marora. Five multinational companies were shortlisted for two separate contracts, jointly worth an estimated ₹37,600 crore ($8 billion),^[61] to manufacture and supply locomotives for Indian Railways. In the past, Indian Railways manufactured locomotives at the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works in West Bengal or at state-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, and diesel locomotives at the Diesel Locomotive Works in Varanasi. These factories developed capacity issues. Three companies – Germany's Siemens AG, Bombardier Transportation India Ltd (a unit of Canada's Bombardier Inc.), and France's Alstom SA – were attempting to secure an order to build and supply at least 660 electric locomotives for the railways. General Electric Co. (GE) and Electro-Motive Diesel Inc. (EMD) would compete for the second contract to build and supply 1,000 diesel locomotives for the national transporter.^{[61][needs update]}

GSDP at current prices, 2000–07

From the India Brand Equity Foundation^[62] (February 2020 data, not including Jharkhand)

Year	GSDP (₹ crore)	Percentage change
1999–00	₹50,200	12.7%
2000–01	₹57,279	14.10%
2001–02	₹57,804	0.92%
2002–03	₹65,117	12.65%
2003–04	₹66,961	2.83%
2004–05	₹73,791	10.20%
2005–06	₹79,682	7.98%
2006–07	₹94,251	18.28%
2007–08	₹1,13,680	15.24%
2008–09	₹1,42,504	11.31%
2009–10	₹1,63,555	17.6%
2010–11	₹2,03,555	10.5%
2011–12	₹2,47,144	15.04%
2012–13	₹2,82,368	14.17%
2013–14	₹3,17,101	12.41%
2014–15	₹3,42,951	8.2%
2015–16	₹3,71,602	7.58%
2016–17	₹4,21,051	15.45%
2017–18	₹4,68,746	14.6%
2018–19	₹5,27,976	5.70%
2019–20	₹5,81,855	11.05%
2020–21	₹5,67,814	7.40%
2021–22	₹6,47,394	14.01%
2022–23	₹7,46,417	15.29%
2023–24	₹8,54,429	14.47%
2024–25	₹9,76,514	13.5%
2025–26	₹10,97,644	12.33%

Net state domestic product (NSDP) at factor cost at current prices

From the Reserve Bank of India's Handbook of Statistics on Indian Economy 2011–12^[63]

Year	NSDP (₹ crore)	Percentage change
Base Year: 1999–2000
1999–2000	₹46,071
2000–01	₹52,519	14.0%
2001–02	₹52,323	0.4%
2002–03	₹59,302	13.3%
2003–04	₹59,701	0.7%
2004–05	₹66,041	10.6%
Base Year: 2004–05
2005–06	₹75,311	14.0%
2006–07	₹94,111	25.0%
2007–08	₹1,08,096	14.9%
2008–09	₹1,39,061	28.6%
2009–10	₹1,63,555	17.6%
2010–11	₹2,01,264	23.1%
Base Year: 2011–12
2011–12	₹2,47,144	20.8%
2012–13	₹2,56,851	3.93%
2013–14	₹2,69,650	4.98%
2014–15	₹2,79,482	3.65%
2015–16	₹2,96,488	6.08%
2016–17	₹3,18,797	7.52%
2017–18	₹3,44,028	7.91%
2018–19	₹3,81,383	10.86%
2019–20	₹3,98,329	4.44%
2020–21	₹3,68,970	7.37%
2021–22	₹3,87,256	4.96%
2022–23	₹4,25,384	9.85%
2023–24	₹4,64,540	9.20%

Income distribution – north-south divide

With respect to gross district domestic product (GDDP), Bihar's districts of Patna, Magadh and Begusarai were the top three among the 38 districts in the state; these districts had per capita GDDPs of ₹31,441, ₹10,087 and ₹9,312, respectively in 2004–05. The North Bihar districts are severely affected by floods each year, resulting in a loss of human capital and livelihood for thousands of people.^[65]

During the financial year 2021–22, the top three districts with respect to income were Patna, Begusarai and Munger; these districts had per capita incomes of ₹‎1,31,100, ₹51,400 and ₹44,300, respectively. The state average was ₹50,555.^[66]

Poverty, income, and urbanisation

The state has a per capita income of $610 a year against India's average of $2,200; 30.6% of the state's population lives below the poverty line against India's average of 22.15%. However, Bihar's GSDP grew by 18% over the period 2006–2007, a higher growth rate than during the previous 10 years.^[62]

Barauni (in the Begusarai district) and Hajipur remain major industrial towns in the state, linked to the capital city through the Ganges bridge and good road infrastructure. The level of urbanisation (10.5%) is below the national average (27.78%). Urban poverty in Bihar (32.91%) is above the national average (23.62%).^[15] Moreover, using per capita water supply as a surrogate variable, Bihar (61 litres per day) is below the national average (142 litres per day).

In terms of urbanisation, the number of towns in Bihar has increased as follows: there were 130 towns in 2001, 199 in 2011, and 207 in 2017. There are a total of 38 urbanised districts, and the state is 11.3% urbanised overall; by comparison, India is 31.2% urbanised overall.

There are 45,103 villages in Bihar, having 853 police stations and 43 police districts.

The state's capital city, Patna – along with the districts of Gaya and East Champaran district – remained among the most prosperous districts (i.e., in the top three). By contrast, the districts of Sheohar, Sheikhpura district and Arwal remained the least prosperous (i.e., in the bottom three). During the financial year 2019–20, Patna had the highest per capita income in Bihar, followed by the Begusarai and Munger districts.^[67]

Patna in the 17th century

During the 17th century, Patna – then part of the Mughal Empire – was a flourishing centre of international trade.^[69] It emerged as one of the most significant urban and commercial hubs in eastern India. Strategically located on the banks of the Ganges River, Patna became a major link in the vast trade network connecting the Indian subcontinent with Central Asia, Southeast Asia and Europe.

In 1620, the British East India Company established a factory (trading post) in Patna primarily for the purchase and storage of calico (a variety of cotton textile) and fine silk; these two commodities were in high demand in Europe. As trading opportunities expanded, saltpetre – potassium nitrate, essential for making gunpowder – soon became one of the most coveted products exported from Patna. This valuable commodity played a critical role in global geopolitics and warfare during the period, drawing the attention of European powers.

Recognising Patna's immense economic potential, other European countries quickly followed the British. The French, Dutch, Danes and Portuguese all set up their own factories, warehouses (called godowns) and trading agencies in the city; this led to intense competition among countries. The bustling trade transformed Patna into a cosmopolitan centre, with diverse languages, cultures and commercial practices interacting daily.

European travellers and chroniclers of the time included Peter Mundy, a British merchant and explorer, who visited Patna in 1632; he described it as "the greatest mart of the eastern region".^{[citation needed]} His observations underline the city's importance not only as a local trade centre, but also as a vital node in the global commercial network. Goods from Tibet, Nepal, Bengal, Gujarat and even the Coromandel Coast passed through Patna, on their way to either inland destinations or overseas markets.

Apart from textiles and saltpetre, Patna also traded in spices, opium, indigo, sugar, grain and ivory; this made it one of the wealthiest cities in the region. The city also hosted a thriving artisan community that produced fine crafts and traditional goods, catering to both domestic and international markets.

Under Mughal rule, particularly during the reigns of Emperor Jahangir and Shah Jahan, Patna enjoyed a relatively stable political environment that fostered trade. Local nawabs and zamindars cooperated with foreign merchants, sometimes offering protection and favourable terms in exchange for taxes or gifts.

By the late 17th century, Patna had firmly established itself as a vibrant centre of global commerce, attracting merchants, adventurers, and diplomats from across Asia and Europe. Its flourishing economy and strategic importance made it a prized possession in the eyes of colonial powers, foreshadowing the increasing European involvement in the region in later centuries.

Manufacturing, export, import

Patna is known for manufacturing pulses, shoes, scooters, masur (red lentil), chasra, electrical goods and cotton yarn. The city exports these manufactured products as well as vegetables, purval (pointed gourd) and milk. Patna is a major importer of cotton, iron, foodgrains, rice, wheat, wool and dalhan.^[68] Rice accounts for more than one third of the gross area sown. Other important food grains are maize, pulses, and wheat. Non-food crops consist mostly of oilseeds, and cash crops such as vegetables and watermelons are also grown in the Diara belt.^{[clarification needed]}

Canals

Patna is one of the few districts in the state with a network of irrigation canals. Attention has been paid to providing irrigation facilities. Besides the various irrigation projects executed in the districts, tube wells were also installed under schemes of the Patna-Barh-Ekangasarai-Bihta Emergency River Pump and Technical Co-operation Administration.

Fishing

The city offers one of the best fishing grounds in India. The spawn of rehu, cattla and hilsa is collected from the Ganges River; this spawn is in demand in other parts of Bihar and West Bengal. The fishing season begins in October, with the peak months in December, January and February, when a variety of fish are available at the fish market. There are many rivers and streams, ponds and low-lying fields in the district where water accumulates during the rainy season, and these have considerable potential for fisheries development. The fisheries development schemes of the district are managed by the district fisheries office located in Patna, under the administrative control of the Director of Fisheries in the Government of Bihar.^[70]

Per capita income

Bihar has the lowest per capita income in the country at ₹50,745, compared with the national average of ₹1,35,000 in 2020. Patna recorded a per capita income of ₹1,12,280 in 2017–18.^[65] The per capita income of Begusarai district was ₹45,540, and that of Munger was ₹37,000; these were Bihar's second- and third-place districts in per capita income.

Development

The NDA government has secured financing and support for major projects to improve the city's entertainment sector. It was expected that in 2009, new multiplexes, malls, parks, and restaurants would all open in the city. China and the United States are currently engaged in business operations in Patna. The government is investing ₹300 crore on two projects: one to replicate the Dilli Haat in Patna, and the other to create a Buddha Park.^[73]

World Bank report

In June 2009, the World Bank ranked Patna as the best city in India for starting a business (out of 17 cities). The World Bank also ranked Patna second for contract enforcement, ninth for dealing with construction permits, 15th for paying taxes and registering property, 10th for trading across borders, and 15th for closing a business. Overall, the city was ranked 14th.^[74]

Civic amenities

Basic civic amenities in the city have improved as of 2025. Garbage is being dumped in dedicated dumping grounds across the city. With respect to drinking water, almost 95% of the total estimated five lakh households have a legal water connection. The city pumps reduce its water wastage from 110 to 20 million litres of untreated sewage into the Ganges River. The poor condition of the sewage system – which in some areas has been improved – is far from the pipeline for drinking water, thereby improving the quality of drinking water.^{[75][failed verification][citation needed]}

The Patna Metro system is under construction, with almost 80% of the work completed; 60% of the investment comes from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the remaining 20% comes from the state and the central government, respectively.^{[clarification needed]} The total cost of the project is ₹13,500 crore and is expected to start by 2024. An electric bus is another civic amenity introduced in the city. A chain of scores of flyovers has been constructed in Patna, and many more are under construction.

In addition, the Loknayak Ganga Path expressway (also known as Marine Drive), 21 km long, has been completed in Patna; the first and second phases have been completed from Digha to Deedearganj. The AIIMS-Digha elevated corridor and the Atal Path expressway are major roadways in Patna for smooth traffic flow.

Meanwhile, the Greater Patna and Patna Smart City projects are in the implementation stage.

Integrated Manufacturing Cluster, Gaya

For the development of an Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) in Bihar, the state government has identified land parcels of nearly 1670 acres in the Dobhi block, under the Sherghati subdivision in the Gaya district. The proposed IMC Gaya project site spans 13 revenue villages (mouzas). Land acquisition for the project is in process. The proposed site is located near National Highway (NH) 22 (Dobhi-Chatra road), which connects Gaya with Chatra district in Jharkhand. The site is located approximately 7 km from NH 19 (Golden Quadrilateral) – which connects Kolkata with Delhi – and approximately 40 km from the proposed New Paharpur station of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor. Gaya International Airport is located approximately 25 km away.

To prepare the master planning and detailed engineering for IMC Gaya, the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) has appointed a master planning consultant. Master planning is in an advanced stage.

Sugar

The Indian Business Directory states^[77] that the Bihar sugar industry has flourished in the two years or so, because of efforts taken by the state government to revive the industry. The sugar industry has benefited from the state's climate, which is very suitable for growing high-grade sugar cane. The main benefit of the industry is employing many people, especially in rural areas. Furthermore, the industry provides facilities for transport and communication, and it helps to develop rural areas by mobilising resources. The total number of sugar mills in the Bihar sugar industry is 28, of which only nine are operational. The total area under sugar cane production is 2.30 lakh hectares, and the total production of sugar cane is around 129.95 lakh MT. The sugar mills of the Bihar sugar industry are located in Samastipur, Gopalganj, Sitamarhi, West Champaran, Chorma, Dulipati and Supaul. The industry can be divided into two groups: the unorganised sector, which comprises traditional sweetener manufacturers, and the organised sector, which consists of sugar factories. The producers of traditional sweeteners are considered part of the rural industry, and they manufacture khandsari (unrefined brown sugar) and gur (unrefined cane sugar). These products are consumed mainly by rural people and are produced in substantial quantities. The total production of sugar in the Bihar sugar industry was 4.21 lakh tons in 2002–03, and 2.77 lakh tons in 2003–04. Again, in 2004–05, the figure was 2.77 lakh tons. The state government, to boost Bihar's sugar industry, has decided to privatise state-run sugar mills that have not operated for many years. The state government has also approved a proposal to set up 15 new sugar mills in the state, which will bring an investment of ₹3,771 crore for the Bihar sugar industry.^[77]

Brewery sector

The brewery sector, by contrast, received a major setback with the statewide ban on alcohol sale, consumption, and production by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in 2015.

Leather

The state has a large cattle population; 50,000 footwear artisans; and private-sector tanneries. More tanneries and footwear units are planned for establishment in the private sector.^[15]

Cements

As in other parts of India, the cement industry in Bihar has flourished and grown significantly. There are many cement plants across the state. For example, the company ACC Cements has a plant in Patna. In addition, many other cement companies have invested in Bihar^[78]

Textile

The total number of weavers in Bihar is more than 90,000. Bhagalpur is known as the leading silk city. Gaya – another major weaving centre – has around 8000 weavers. There are strong traditional handloom clusters in the districts of Bhagalpur, Gaya, Nalanda, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Siwan and Patna. Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services is preparing a project report on textile parks and also on cluster development programs. However, most of the textile centres in the state are in decline, producing low-value goods.^[15] Gaya is developing rapidly in the textile sector; approximately 10,000 looms are operational, and several new projects are expected to launch soon. Shuttleless and high-tech technology are also being widely adopted; in Nalanda Rajgir, too, the textile sector is developing.

Small-scale industries

Small-scale industries (SSIs) have contributed to Bihar's economic upsurge. The SSIs' total investment is ₹88.75 crore. Small or artisan-based industries are generating 5.5 lakh person-days in the current financial year until December.^[79]

Railway factory

• Diesel Locomotive Factory, Marhowrah
• Carriage Repair Workshop, Harnaut
• Electric Locomotive Factory, Madhepura
• Jamalpur Locomotive Workshop
• Rail Wheel Plant, Bela

Security and intelligence services

Security Industry Specialists (SIS), an unlisted security company, has the largest workforce in the Asia-Pacific region, and the company is projected to generate ₹2,000 crore in revenue. SIS has more than 10,000 foreign nationals among its staff. The Patna-registered company achieved this scale through an acquisition: the Australian guard and mobile patrol services business divested from American conglomerate United Technologies Corp (UTC). The deal closed in August 2008. It includes Chubb Security, which is Australia's largest and oldest security company. Chubb Security earned $400 million last year.^{[clarification needed]} SIS is reportedly funding the acquisition through a mix of debt and internal accruals. SIS, ranked among India's top three security services firms, has 30,000 employees in India; the company is expected to add up to 80,000 by 2012. The company's approximately 2,500 clients include Tatas, Birlas, Reliance, SBI, PNB, ICICI, Hyundai, American Express, Essar, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Idea and Wipro. Chairman / Managing Director Ravindra Kishore Sinha said, "From pedestrian Patna setting to the panoramic skyline of Sydney, it has been a long and rewarding journey", adding that SIS remains "rooted, registered and taxed in Bihar".^[80][81]

Sudha cooperative

Sudha Dairy, a cooperative, is one of the most successful government companies in India. An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from Bihar, Ram Chandra Sinha, founded this cooperative. The cooperative's revenues from a range of milk and milk products have risen from $73.5 million in 2001–02 to $136 million in 2007; in 2018, revenues were reported as $279.6 million. The cooperative had 6,000 outlets covering 84 towns in the state, and more than 260,000 milk farmers were members in 2007–08. The cooperative now has 2,231 retailers and 25 plants (19 of which are dairy producers), with a total capacity of 3.1 million litres per day. Sudha Dairy also sells its products to other Indian states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Delhi.^[82]

Husk Power Systems

Husk Power Systems (HPS) is a Bihar-based start-up that provides power to thousands of rural Indians. HPS has created proprietary technology that cost-effectively converts rice husks into electricity.^[83] The organisation uses this technology to produce, own and operate 35–100 kW "mini power plants" that deliver electricity as a pay-for-use service to villages of 2000–4000 inhabitants in the Indian "Rice Belt".^[84] In 2009, the company won an inaugural competition for global business plans that was sponsored by venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Cisco Systems. The company will receive a $250,000 investment from DFJ Growth and Cisco to help advance the technology.^[85]

The company has since received two rounds of financing from the Shell Foundation. Two of the key founders of HPS are graduates of the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

IOC Barauni refinery

The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Barauni refinery in Bihar was built in collaboration with the Soviet Union for ₹49.4 crore, and it went on stream in July 1964. The initial capacity of 2 MMT per year was expanded to 3 MMT per year by 1969. The present^[when?] capacity of this refinery is 6.00 MMT per year. A Catalytic Reformer Unit (CRU) was added to the refinery in 1997 for the production of unleaded motor spirit. Additional projects are planned for meeting future fuel quality requirements.

The Government of India plans to develop a petrochemical plant alongside the refinery.

East Central Railway, Hajipur

Hajipur is Patna's only twin city; it is located nearest to the capital; and it shares most of its government offices, headquarters and educational institutions with the capital city. As another district headquarters, Hajipur has powers equivalent to those of the capital. It is one railway zone in the Indian railway system, i.e., East Central Railway zone. This zone comprises the following railway divisions: Samastipur, Danapur, Mugalsarai, Dhanbad and Sonepur.

Life Insurance Corporation – East Central Zone

The East Central Zone of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) comprises the following divisions: Muzaffarpur, Patna-1, Patna-2, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Jamshedpur, Hazaribagh, Berhampur, Cuttack, Bhubaneshwar and Sambalpur.

National Thermal Power Corporation

The Eastern Region headquarters of major Indian power company NTPC is situated in Patna; the largest power plants in this region are Kahalgaon, Talchar and Farakka. Upcoming power plants in the region are Barh (Patna) and Nabinagar (Aurangabad).

Power Grid Corporation

Power Grid Corporation's Eastern Region, comprising Bihar and Jharkhand, has its headquarters at Shastri Nagar, Patna.