Bihar is set for a major political event on Thursday as Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expands his Cabinet at a high-profile ceremony in Patna, with the state capital witnessing unprecedented security arrangements and widespread traffic restrictions ahead of the swearing-in.
The oath-taking ceremony will be held at Gandhi Maidan at 12.10 pm, where the Governor will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers joining the Choudhary-led government.
The expansion comes less than a month after Nitish Kumar stepped down as Chief Minister and handed over the reins to senior BJP leader Samrat Choudhary on April 14, marking a significant power shift within Bihar’s NDA politics. Political circles are also abuzz with speculation that Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, could find a place in the new Cabinet.
Senior BJP leaders have already begun arriving in Patna ahead of the ceremony. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President Nitin Nabin are in the city, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is also expected to attend the event.
According to sources, the Cabinet exercise follows days of intense discussions between Bihar NDA leaders and the BJP’s central leadership. A key round of consultations involving Amit Shah reportedly played an important role in finalising the names likely to be inducted.
Talks were also held with NDA allies, including Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan, in an effort to maintain caste and coalition balance within the alliance.
In another politically significant move ahead of the expansion, Samrat Choudhary recently met JD(U) national president and former chief minister Nitish Kumar. The meeting is being viewed as an attempt to project unity within the NDA at a time when Bihar politics remains fluid ahead of the Assembly elections.
Patna traffic restrictions: Which routes are closed today?
With multiple VVIP movements expected, Patna Police has imposed sweeping traffic curbs across the city.
Authorities said vehicular movement from Sheikhpura Mor to the airport will remain completely suspended during the event. Several arterial stretches, including Airport Roundabout to eastern Patel Roundabout and Rajendra Chowk to Patel Roundabout, will remain sealed.
The route from Patel Roundabout to Income Tax Roundabout, covering Harding Road, Sinchai Bhawan and R-Block, has been declared a complete no-entry zone.
Movement from Chitkohra Roundabout towards the northern side will also remain restricted.
Traffic controls will be enforced at major junctions such as Income Tax Roundabout, Dak Bungalow, JP Roundabout, Ramgulam Chowk, Bakarganj and Kargil Chowk. Entry to SP Verma Road from New Dak Bungalow Road has also been barred.
Passengers travelling to the airport have been advised to use Jagdeo Path and Raja Bazar as alternate routes, while those heading towards Patna Junction have been asked to approach from the Karbigahiya side.
Security tightened amid expected VVIP movement
Security arrangements across Patna have been intensified in view of the expected arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior NDA leaders.
Multiple layers of security personnel have been deployed around Gandhi Maidan and key routes across the city, with authorities keeping a close watch on crowd movement and traffic management ahead of the ceremony.