Patna: The state govt has planned to develop a 130-km green corridor from Patna to Dobhi with a selfie point every 10km, minister Pramod Chandravanshi said during Question Hour in the legislative assembly on Thursday.He said fruit trees such as mango, jamun, lemon and amla would be planted along the highway to promote eco-tourism. Responding to BJP MLA Nitish Mishra and others, the environment, forest and climate change minister said farmers would be encouraged to plant fruit trees along the four-lane highway to increase income due to lower transportation costs.The minister said the department is taking necessary action and will replicate similar corridors in other districts. Mishra flagged delays due to pending clearance from the central govt and said tourists visit Bihar but do not stay owing to inadequate facilities. He also urged the govt to frame a maintenance policy for properties at tourist sites.The minister assured him that work would commence soon. “Plantation will begin this year before the monsoon (in June-July). Trees such as jamun, mango, neem, banyan, paakad and peepal will be planted on both sides of the highway. This will increase greenery, reduce pollution, and strengthen environmental balance,” he said, adding that an eco-tourism committee would be formed for maintenance.He said residents of Patna, Jehanabad and Gaya districts would be involved. A survey assessing land availability and plantation potential has been completed.Raising the issue, JD(U) MLA Manjit Singh said seven cities in the state are among the most polluted in the country and cited lower green cover in Patna compared to Delhi.Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha, who also holds the urban development and housing portfolio, said the govt is adopting the Miyawaki technique to accelerate plantation.A high school in every panchayat: Responding to a calling attention motion, education minister Sunil Kumar said the govt plans to open a high school in every panchayat. Members raised concerns that Kendriya Vidyalaya-level education remains limited to urban and district headquarters areas, depriving rural and semi-urban students. Trivikram Singh demanded all-weather motorable roads to schools to prevent dropouts during the monsoon.Saharsa MLA’s turban: A lighter moment arose over Saharsa MLA I P Gupta’s turban. Gupta said he had come without it to draw attention to a drainage scheme in Saharsa municipal area. Deputy CM Vijay Sinha said the govt would “protect the honour of your turban (pagdi)”. A drainage scheme of about Rs213 crore was proposed in 2017, but later discussions were held on approval of Rs137 crore.
