Bihar inaugurated the Mega Leather, Footwear and Accessories Cluster in Muzaffarpur, backed by ₹140.95 crore. The project features shared facilities and a Common Facility Centre to boost manufacturing, attract investment, and create local employment, with CM Choudhary outlining 2030 job targets and related infrastructure plans.
India
-Oneindia Staff
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday inaugurated the Mega Leather, Footwear and Accessories Cluster at the Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA) Industrial Area in Mahwal, Muzaffarpur. Developed at a cost of ₹140.95 crore, the project includes industrial infrastructure and a Common Facility Centre (CFC) aimed at strengthening manufacturing, attracting investment and generating employment opportunities in the state.
The inauguration marks a significant step towards developing Bihar’s leather and footwear industry by providing entrepreneurs with modern infrastructure, shared facilities and better opportunities to expand their businesses. The programme was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Industries Minister Shreyasi Singh, Backward Classes and Extremely Backward Classes Welfare Minister Rama Nishad, Tourism Minister Kedar Prasad Gupta, MP Veena Devi and senior government officials. The event was chaired by Industries Minister Shreyasi Singh.
Bihar inaugurated the Mega Leather, Footwear and Accessories Cluster in Muzaffarpur, backed by ₹140.95 crore. The project features shared facilities and a Common Facility Centre to boost manufacturing, attract investment, and create local employment, with CM Choudhary outlining 2030 job targets and related infrastructure plans.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said industrial development would play a crucial role in strengthening Bihar’s economy and creating opportunities for the state’s young population. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047, the Chief Minister said Bihar would make a significant contribution towards achieving this national goal. He stressed the need to utilise the state’s water resources, skilled workforce and entrepreneurial potential to accelerate economic growth.
The Chief Minister said the state government aims to create employment opportunities within Bihar before 2030 for people who currently migrate to other states in search of work. He appealed to industrialists and investors to invest in Bihar and become partners in its development. He emphasised that the government’s priority was not limited to receiving investment proposals but also ensuring that industries and factories were actually established in the state, enabling local people to benefit from employment opportunities.
Bihar Targets 1,000 MW Data Centre Before 2030
The Chief Minister reiterated the target of developing a data centre with a capacity of 1,000 MW before 2030. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening electricity supply, roads, air connectivity, transport networks and industrial infrastructure to attract investment. He directed officials to ensure the availability of land for industries and expedite the processing of investment proposals.
Samrat Choudhary also stressed the need to develop a dry port in Muzaffarpur to facilitate the transportation of locally manufactured goods to domestic and international markets. Regarding the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC), he said the development process was underway in Gaya, while efforts would also be made to establish similar industrial clusters in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga.
The Chief Minister added that the government would explore the possibility of rapid rail connectivity between Muzaffarpur, Patna and Gaya to improve travel convenience and support economic activity. He further stated that the government would examine investment proposals submitted by industrialists and work towards formulating sector-specific policies within 30 days, wherever required.
Shreyasi Singh Says Bihar’s Youth Must Become Job Creators
Industries Minister Shreyasi Singh said industrialisation was essential for creating employment and empowering young people to become self-reliant entrepreneurs rather than remain job seekers. She said Bihar was working to improve its position in Ease of Doing Business by simplifying industrial processes, building an investor-friendly environment and encouraging entrepreneurship.
Highlighting the state’s MSME Policy, the minister said it was based on ten pillars designed to promote micro, small and medium enterprises and support their growth. She also noted that the textile, ethanol and leather industries were helping establish a stronger industrial identity for Bihar. Further investment in these sectors, she said, would create local employment, improve skills and encourage entrepreneurship.
The minister urged entrepreneurs to take advantage of the investment opportunities available in the state and contribute to Bihar’s industrial development.
Muzaffarpur Emerging as a Hub for Multiple Industries
Industries Department Secretary Kundan Kumar said Bihar’s artisans and skilled workers had earned recognition for their craftsmanship, and the government was working to provide them with better opportunities within the state. He said industrial opportunities in Muzaffarpur extended beyond leather and footwear to sectors such as textiles, ethanol and bag manufacturing.
Referring to the Mega Food Park, the secretary said entrepreneurs had invested more than ₹600 crore in the facility, generating employment for approximately 3,000 people. Describing the Mahwal cluster as an important project supported by the Central and State governments, he invited entrepreneurs from across the country to invest in Bihar.
He said the combination of local skills, entrepreneurship and modern industrial infrastructure could give fresh momentum to economic activities across the state.
BIADA Highlights Investment and Manufacturing Opportunities
BIADA Managing Director Naveen Kumar highlighted the importance of developing industrial infrastructure and providing essential facilities to entrepreneurs. He said projects such as the Mega Leather, Footwear and Accessories Cluster could attract investment, strengthen manufacturing activities and create employment opportunities at the local level.
The cluster is designed to provide an organised industrial ecosystem with shared facilities, helping enterprises access essential infrastructure and expand their operations. During the programme, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries inspected the cluster’s infrastructure and exhibition stalls showcasing products and activities related to the leather, footwear and accessories industry.
They also visited the Common Facility Centre, which is expected to support industrial units by providing shared facilities for manufacturing activities. Allotment letters for industrial sheds and land were distributed to industrial units during the event, marking another step towards facilitating investment and the establishment of businesses at the cluster.
BIADA Signs MoU with FDDI to Boost Footwear Skills
A key highlight of the inauguration was the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Industries and the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI). FDDI Director Vivek Sharma and Industries Department Director Mukul Kumar Gupta exchanged the MoU during the programme.
The partnership aims to strengthen design capabilities, technical expertise and industry-oriented skill development in the leather and footwear sectors. It is also expected to help develop a trained workforce aligned with industry requirements, improve access to professional training and expand employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for Bihar’s youth.
Focus on Industrial Growth and Local Employment
The inauguration of the Mahwal Mega Leather, Footwear and Accessories Cluster reflects the Bihar government’s focus on attracting investment, expanding manufacturing and creating employment opportunities. With modern industrial infrastructure, a Common Facility Centre, land and shed allotments, and a partnership for skill development, the project is expected to support the growth of the leather and footwear ecosystem in Bihar.
The government’s broader targets—including employment generation before 2030, a proposed 1,000 MW data centre and improved industrial connectivity—underline its push to strengthen the state’s industrial base and create more opportunities for local talent.
