Bihar Diwas preparations reviewed

Patna: Education department secretary Dinesh Kumar on Friday inspected Gandhi Maidan to review preparations for Bihar Diwas 2026. Organisers are installing stages, sound systems and LED screens for the three-day event from March 22 to 24.

Authorities are coordinating security, sanitation and logistics for public attendance. Bollywood singers will perform on successive days. Officials were directed to ensure quality work and timely completion of all arrangements.MSME devpt meet held: The MSME Development Office, Patna, in collaboration with Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (ER-1), is organising a CPSE-level vendor development programme and exhibition on March 13 and 14.

The event aims to link micro and small enterprises with government procurement. Officials from MSME-DFO and PowerGrid, including R K Chaudhary and Sheila Rani, led sessions on procurement policy and GeM registration.

Representatives from IOCL, NSIC, NTPC and industry bodies participated to facilitate market access for local entrepreneurs.Fines for illegal debris: Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified dust control measures by deploying water sprinklers and anti-smog guns across major roads and Gandhi Maidan.

Residents have been directed to dispose of construction and demolition waste through the PMC helpline. For those unable to transport waste, PMC offers a collection service at Rs 600 per tractor per trip. Authorities inspected 696 sites, penalised 49 violators and collected Rs 1.54 lakh in fines.

Illegal dumping now attracts a Rs 1,500 penalty.Mandiri Nala work inspected: Municipal commissioner Yashpal Meena on Friday inspected the Mandiri Nala project, which is in its final phase of construction. The project includes a 1,289-metre two-lane road linking Nehru Path to Bans Ghat, along with a modern drainage system. Infrastructure features box drains, utility ducts, sluice gates and desilting chambers. Decorative lighting and landscaping have also been incorporated. Authorities are finalising road surfacing and connectivity to Ashok Rajpath.