As Bihar prepares for yet another assembly election, one slogan has begun to dominate social media: “Bihari don’t want trains, we need industries in Bihar.” It reflects the deep frustration of people who have been promised development for decades but have received only temporary relief and slogans.
A State of Migration, Not Employment
Bihar is India’s most migration-prone state. Crores of its young men and women leave their villages each year in search of jobs in Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. From construction workers to teachers and IT professionals, the story is the same—opportunities do not exist at home.
Industrial growth, the backbone of modern employment, has been negligible. Factories are few, investment is scarce, and infrastructure is weak. Bihar has not been able to build special economic zones, modern manufacturing hubs, or even medium-sized industries in sufficient numbers. As a result, trains leaving Bihar are overcrowded with migrant workers, while industries within the state remain a distant dream.
The Cycle of Promises
Every election season, political parties compete in announcing new schemes. The opposition promises lakhs of government jobs, free electricity, monthly stipends for women, and pensions for the elderly. The ruling coalition counters with similar pledges, sometimes even announcing them as government schemes before the polls.
Yet, history shows that many of these commitments rarely see the light of day. Jobs remain on paper, industries fail to materialize, and infrastructure projects move at a snail’s pace. The people of Bihar are left with slogans rather than real solutions.
Welfare vs. Development
It is true that welfare schemes have provided some relief. Free bicycles for schoolgirls, subsidised food grains, and reservations for women in government jobs have made a difference. But welfare alone cannot replace development. Without industries, without large investments, and without a long-term plan for economic growth, Bihar’s condition cannot improve.
When young people demand factories instead of free schemes, they are not rejecting welfare; they are asking for dignity of labour, stable livelihoods, and the chance to live near their families rather than in distant cities.
Infrastructure Without Industry
Over the years, governments have focused on infrastructure projects—railway lines, roads, and bridges. While such projects are necessary, they cannot by themselves create permanent jobs. A bridge is built once; it does not employ thousands for decades. Industries, however, create continuous employment, skill development, and a supportive ecosystem of services.
This is why slogans like “we don’t want trains, we want industries” resonate so strongly. People are tired of announcements that glorify new trains or new welfare schemes but ignore the root problem: lack of employment within the state.
The Role of Governance
Bihar’s crisis is not only economic but also political. Governance has often been marked by short-term thinking, corruption, and dependence on caste equations. Instead of building consensus for a long-term industrial policy, parties prefer to announce quick benefits that fetch immediate votes.
Even when industrial packages are announced, there is little follow-up. Land acquisition remains a challenge, electricity supply is uncertain, and investors do not feel secure about stability. Unless governance becomes more transparent, accountable, and focused on growth, no slogan can change Bihar’s fortunes.
Final Take
Bihar stands at a crossroads. On one side are trains carrying its youth away; on the other, the dream of industries that can anchor them at home. The people no longer seek slogans. They demand accountability, vision, and real progress.
Political parties may still pour out promises, but the true test will lie in whether they can finally end Bihar’s cycle of migration and make it a land of opportunity. Until then, slogans on social media will continue to echo the silent despair of millions.
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