PATNA/SULTANGANJ, July 29 -- Chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday formally inaugurated the annual Shravani Mela at a simple programme at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur district by performing traditional puja and lighting of lamps. The grand annual pilgrimage, one of the largest congregations of faith in the world, sees millions of Kanwariyas carrying sacred Ganga water from Sultanganj to Baba Baidyanath temple in Deoghar, Jharkhand. Describing the mela as more than a religious event, Chaudhary called it a "living symbol of Bihar's rich cultural heritage and spiritual tradition." He reaffirmed the state government's commitment to ensuring safety, convenience and world-class facilities for the millions of devotees who participate each year. Choudhary announced several ambitious infrastructure projects aimed at boosting religious tourism in the region. These include the development of an international airport in Sultanganj, a ropeway between Ajgaivinath and Aguvani Ghat and an 83-km-long Ganga Path (Marine Drive) from Bhagalpur to Munger. He also outlined plans for an industrial corridor, new townships like Vikramshila Township in Nathnagar and Ang Township in Bariarpur-Munger and tourism amenities like dolphin tourism and a Ganga Park. Choudhary said the Aguvani-Sultanganj bridge on the river Ganga would be complete by the end of next year. Work on a four-lane road from Sultanganj to Deoghar and a new railway line connecting the two towns would also be expedited. Ghats at Ajgaivinath Dham will be developed on the lines of Haridwar to enhance the pilgrim experience. The CM also inaugurated a service camp on the Kanwaria Path and launched the official Shravani Mela App, which will provide devotees with real-time information related to their journey. A documentary on mela preparations and a tourism booklet were also released. Choudhary announced that all government schools will adopt a half-day study schedule on Saturdays to facilitate holistic growth of the students by allowing them to pursue sports and extracurricular activities. The announcement was made during the inauguration of multiple education and police infrastructure schemes in Tarapur of Munger on Tuesday. The CM inaugurated several model schools equipped with smart classrooms, modern science laboratories, computer labs, digital teaching facilities, and enriched libraries. He also launched teaching at a new government degree college at Ramanand & Parsi-Ram High School campus in Asarganj and a model police station building in Harpur. Under the Sat Nischay-3 initiative, the state aims to establish degree colleges in every block to provide higher education closer to rural students. CM said degree colleges will be opened in phases in all B Ed colleges across Bihar....