PATNA, Sept. 16 -- The Bihar cabinet on Tuesday gave its administrative approval of Rs.3,516.05 crore for the comprehensive development of the Vishnupad temple area in Gaya Ji on the lines of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Varanasi and construction of the Son-Phalgu river linking scheme, according to a government press release issued through the information and public relations department (IPRD). The Vishnupad temple area in Gaya Ji will be developed on the lines of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Varanasi at an estimated cost of Rs.2,520 crore, while the construction of the Son-Phalgu river linking scheme will be completed at an estimated cost of Rs.996 crore, cabinet secretariat department's additional chief secretary (ACS) Arvind Kumar Chaudhary told reporters. A total of 17 decisions were taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Samrat Choudhary. Briefing reporters, Chaudhary said the completion of this project will provide new impetus and strength to Gaya's religious, spiritual, and cultural traditions, which have continued for thousands of years, particularly important religious rituals such as Pind Daan, Tarpan, and Pitri Paksha. A slew of works are proposed under the scheme, including development of the temple complex, multilevel car parking, construction of an elevated pathway, construction of the Mansarwa-Manpur Bridge, construction of ramps, development of ghats, construction of dormitories, canteen, pedestrian bridge, statues, pilgrim facility centre, Sita Kund, and development of public amenities, the press note said, adding that the scheme will be implemented by the Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL). Construction of an intake well is proposed approximately 23km upstream of the Indrapuri Barrage under the Son-Phalgu river linking scheme, it said, adding that through the intake well, the required quantity of water will be lifted from the Son River and conveyed through an approximately 11-km-long pipeline to the north Koel main canal at approximately chainage 32.77 km. The cabinet also approved an MoU between the ministry of civil aviation (MoCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), New Delhi, and the state government for expanding air connectivity in the state under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, modified UDAN scheme. The MoU will define the roles and responsibilities of the MoCA, the AAI, and the state government. This will facilitate the provision of necessary financial assistance under the UDAN scheme for new air routes proposed by the state and will also help in continuing operations on routes with low passenger demand during the initial period. Various airports in the state are to be developed under the modified UDAN scheme "challenge mode". In addition, heliports are also to be developed in the state's "aspirational districts" under the challenge mode. Such districts will benefit not only in terms of air connectivity but also with regard to emergency services and tourism. These initiatives will provide air connectivity to smaller cities in the state and promote tourism, trade, and employment opportunities, the statement said. The cabinet also gave its nod for the constitution of "Bihar State Civil Aviation Cadre Recruitment Rules 2026" to regulate the recruitment and promotion of technical and non-technical posts under the civil aviation department. The cabinet also gave its nod to the recruitment of assistant professors on a contractual basis in five government medical colleges of the state until regular appointments are made to these posts, the ACS said, adding that it would make the teaching faculty available in these colleges in line with standards set by the National Medical Commission, New Delhi. The five government medical colleges where contractual teaching appointments will be made include the government medical colleges at Bettiah, Purnea, Chapra (Saran), the Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Medical College, Madhepura, and Shri Ram Janki Medical College, Samastipur. Similar contractual appointments of teaching faculty - professor, associate professor and assistant professor - will be made in government dental colleges of the state until regular appointments to these colleges are made. It also dismissed Dr Ravi Shankar Prasad, general medical officer, posted at APHC, Bahadur in Khagaria district, from service for remaining absent from service since November 17, 2021. The cabinet also gave its nod for obtaining Rs.1,000 crore as an advance from the Bihar Contingency Fund (BCF) under the water resources department, Chaudhary said, adding that the amount received will be utilised under the state plan for flood protection works, Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan, and other important works in the irrigation sector....