Bihar CM lays ₹170-crore MSME Technology Centre foundation in Gaya
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on 15 June laid the foundation stone for a new MSME Technology Centre in the Khizersarai block of Gaya, marking a significant push for industrial skill development in the Magadh region. The project, estimated at nearly ₹170 crore, will be built across 20 acres of land provided by the Bihar government.
Key Developments
The foundation-laying ceremony was attended by Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar, Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, and Minister Shreyasi Singh, along with entrepreneurs, officials, and local residents. Alongside the event, the inauguration of road-widening and strengthening work on the Gaya–Islamabad–Khizersarai route connecting to the proposed centre was also carried out.
What the Centre Will Offer
According to officials, the MSME Technology Centre is designed to provide advanced technical training to more than 7,000 youths annually and extend modern technical and industrial support to over 1,000 MSME units. Courses planned include Diploma in Tool and Die Making, Mechatronics, Automation Technology, Electrical, and Electronic Skills, with training durations ranging from six months to one year. The centre will cater to learners from Class 8 pass level up to postgraduate qualifications.
Focus on Women's Empowerment
The centre will also run dedicated vocational programmes for women aimed at promoting self-employment and financial independence. These are expected to include tailoring and embroidery, computer education, textile-related training, engineering-based vocational skills, and wellness courses. Officials said the initiative would expand livelihood opportunities for women across the region.
Bihar's MSME Growth Story
Leaders at the event highlighted the rapid expansion of Bihar's MSME sector in recent years. According to the state government, the number of MSME units in Bihar has surged from approximately 6 lakh to over 46 lakh, generating employment for crores of people. Chief Minister Choudhary said the new centre would serve as a milestone for employment and technical education in the Magadh region, positioning Gaya as an emerging industrial hub.
What Comes Next
Once operational, the centre is expected to serve not just Gaya but the broader Magadh belt, channelling skilled labour into Bihar's growing industrial base. With the MSME sector now accounting for tens of lakhs of units statewide, the Gaya facility could become a replicable model for other districts with similar development gaps.