PATNA, Nov. 11 -- In a financial milestone signalling Bihar's growing integration with national capital markets, chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday inaugurated the listing of Patna Municipal Corporation's Rs.200-crore municipal bond on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) during a bell-ringing ceremony at a posh hotel in the state capital. The CM said: "Continuous efforts are being made to economically empower Bihar, explore new avenues of prosperity, and connect the state to national and global markets." Addressing a distinguished gathering of state officials, urban administrators, and financial sector representatives, the CM underscored the strategic need to direct market borrowings into self-sustaining, revenue-generating urban infrastructure rather than conventional recurrent expenditure. Choudhary said: "Funds raised via municipal bonds should be invested in projects that yield recurring revenue. Other municipal corporations across Bihar must also take initiatives in this direction." Various departments should explore new revenue-generating avenues by optimally using their assets and resources, he said. Reflecting on Bihar's economic trajectory, Choudhary noted that despite losing 87% of its revenue base following the bifurcation of Jharkhand in 2000, the state has expanded its budgetary capacity from an earlier Rs.6,000 crore to roughly Rs.3.5 lakh crore today. He said: "Following the implementation of GST in the country, Bihar received economic benefits corresponding to its large population for the first time." "Resources are also being allocated to the state through the Finance Commission in proportion to its population. The government is fully committed to social security," the CM said. Highlighting social commitments, he noted that on Tuesday, over Rs.1,205.91 crore was transferred directly to more than 1.09 crore social security pensioners on Tuesday. Looking ahead, Choudhary mapped out an ambitious public-private partnership (PPP) blueprint across key infrastructure sectors to fuel sustainable development. In healthcare, newly constructed state medical colleges and hospitals will be operated under PPP frameworks leveraging brownfield models and private clinical expertise. Urban expansion plans include twelve greenfield satellite townships across Bihar-most notably the Patliputra Township in Patna, which is projected to catalyze approximately Rs.5 lakh crore in investments alongside enhanced promotion of modern high-rise architecture. For connectivity, building on the existing 26-kilometer Marine Drive, the state is advancing a proposed 126-kilometer extension under the PPP route with an estimated investment of Rs.30,000 crore. Choudhary announced that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit on November 21, key agreements covering solar energy, battery storage, and pumped hydro storage systems will be signed to unlock massive sectoral investments. Urging again affluent households to adopt rooftop solar panels under state subsidies and forgo free utility quotas, the CM concluded that strategic asset utilization, including commercial river desilting for flood mitigation, will provide the enduring fiscal foundation Bihar needs to build resilient modern cities. Patna is taking sightseeing to spectacular new heights and serene waters. Bihar Tourism has officially expanded its leisure experiences across the capital, giving residents and travellers two exciting ways to explore the city. On the Ganges, a newly inaugurated eco-friendly water metro now glides between Digha's Minar Ghat and Gandhi Ghat. Powered by an advanced electric-hybrid system, the sleek 50-passenger catamaran offers scenic 40-minute cruises with zero pollution for just Rs.50, with future extensions planned toward Kangan Ghat. Meanwhile, sky-high thrills await with festive helicopter joyrides for Chhath. Running from November 10 to 16, 2026, passengers can soak in sweeping aerial panoramas across six daily morning slots for Rs.2,100, with extended weekend flights continuing from November 19. In a decisive move signalling zero tolerance for bureaucratic laxity, the CM suspended 15 government officers with immediate effect on Tuesday, ordering immediate departmental proceedings against them. The punitive action was declared during the state-level Sahyog Shivir after authorities discovered blatant dereliction of duty, undue delays, and substandard redressal of public grievances submitted under the Sahyog initiative. Reinforcing institutional accountability, the CM strictly directed all District Magistrates, departmental secretaries, and secretariat officials to scrutinize not merely the speed of grievance disposal on the Sahyog portal, but the qualitative substance of each resolution. He sternly warned that superficial evasiveness will attract uncompromising disciplinary action....