Patna: Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has inaugurated a significant push for urban infrastructure, laying the foundation stone for 1,327 schemes valued at Rs 1,002 crore under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Urban Development Scheme. The event took place at Patna’s Integrated Command and Control Center, where CM Nitish also launched the integration and automation of drainage pumping stations as part of the Patna Smart City Project.
Implemented by the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (BUIDCO), the scheme aims to accelerate urban development across the state. It includes projects such as drainage systems, road construction and renovation, park creation, and the beautification of ponds and ghats. The drainage pumping stations across Patna will now be monitored centrally through the new control room system, improving efficiency and oversight.
Since its launch in July 2024 by the Urban Development and Housing Department, the scheme has seen administrative approvals for 624 projects in North Bihar and 703 in South Bihar, covering infrastructure upgrades like roadworks, drains, parks, and street lighting. Funding allocation for the fiscal year 2024-25 stands at Rs 400 crore, distributed based on urban population across districts.
The programme is overseen at the district level by steering committees chaired by local ministers, with BUIDCo acting as the implementation agency. The event was attended by senior government officials including Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, ministers, and district officials, with others joining via video conferencing.
