Amit Shah Lays Foundation for Rs 890 Crore Punaura Dham Temple Development, Launches Sitamarhi-Delhi Amrit Bharat Train

Bihar – Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah laid the foundation for a major redevelopment project at the Punaura Dham temple complex in Sitamarhi, Bihar — believed to be the birthplace of Mata Sita. The ceremony, attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and other dignitaries, also marked the launch of the new Sitamarhi–Delhi Amrit Bharat train through video conferencing.

Speaking at the event, Shah described the day as historic for Sitamarhi, Mithila, Bihar, and the entire nation. He announced that the redevelopment would span over 68 acres and involve an investment of about ₹890 crore. This includes ₹137 crore for renovating the existing temple, and ₹728 crore for creating a “Parikrama Path” and other facilities. Visitors will be able to experience key episodes from the life of Mata Janaki and Shri Ram through a 3D digital gallery, meditation gardens, restored water bodies, dharamshalas, canteens, and medical facilities. Additional projects under the Ramayana Circuit will also be developed at sites including Valmiki Nagar, Pulhar, Panth Pakar, Ahilya Sthan, Ram Reka Ghat, and Sita Kund.

Shah highlighted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, railway investment in Bihar has grown sharply — from ₹1,132 crore annually in the past to over ₹10,000 crore for 2025–26 alone. He stressed that the cultural heritage of Mithila, known for its knowledge traditions, literature, music, and spirituality, is being revived, with Punaura Dham as a central pillar. He credited Modi with taking Mithila’s art to the global stage and initiating landmark projects such as the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the Kashi Vishwanath and Mahakal Corridors.

Turning to national security, Shah recalled that before 2014, the country frequently witnessed terror attacks. He said the Modi government’s decisive actions — including surgical strikes, air strikes, and Operation Sindoor — had dismantled terror infrastructure even across the border.

On the political front, he addressed the controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, saying it was necessary to remove infiltrators from the voter list. Such revisions, he noted, have taken place since the time of Jawaharlal Nehru without protest. According to Shah, the opposition’s objections stem from vote-bank politics, as infiltrators form part of its support base. He accused rival parties of neglecting Mithila’s development and engaging instead in corruption, mafia protection, and lawlessness.

He also listed infrastructure projects currently underway in Bihar, including concrete construction of National Highway 527, the Sitamarhi–Sursand–Jaynagar–Nirmali rail section, road expansions, and multiple railway line upgrades. The government is also backing local industries, such as Makhana farming, and reviving the Riga sugar mill. Shah concluded by calling the temple’s foundation laying the most significant milestone yet for Sitamarhi’s growth.