Patna: The Bihar government has placed urban cleanliness and infrastructure at the heart of its latest budget, announcing major investments to tackle waterlogging, waste management and basic civic amenities across the state’s cities. Officials said the focus reflects a push to improve quality of life and strengthen urban governance in all 261 municipal bodies.
To address the growing problem of solid waste, the government has approved a comprehensive waste processing network, including material recovery facilities with a capacity of 2,938 tonnes per day, compost plants handling 3,387 tonnes per day, biomethanation plants for 100 tonnes per day and sanitary landfills capable of processing 1,311 tonnes per day. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), waste from Patna and 12 surrounding urban bodies will be managed through public–private partnerships, with plans to generate electricity from garbage.
A significant allocation of about Rs 3,559 crore has been earmarked for 38 stormwater drainage schemes to curb chronic waterlogging in urban areas. In addition, under the state’s “Seven Resolves-2” programme for a self-reliant Bihar, cremation facilities are planned at major river ghats in 41 cities, with work already completed on 10 projects.
Urban development spending will also see a boost through the Chief Minister’s Integrated Urban Development Scheme, under which 3,208 projects worth Rs 2,091 crore have been approved. Housing remains a key pillar, with 418,394 homes sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), and 175,249 families already receiving permanent housing. The Namami Gange programme will fund 39 sewage treatment plants and sewerage networks in 22 Ganga cities at a cost of Rs 8,426 crore, with 24 projects completed so far.
The Urban Development and Housing Department’s overall budget has increased from Rs 11,982.26 crore to Rs 15,237 crore, with scheme funding rising sharply from Rs 6,400 crore to Rs 9,493.79 crore. Among social infrastructure initiatives, the government plans to construct 105 pink toilets for women in 20 urban bodies. Smart city projects in Patna, Biharsharif, Bhagalpur and Muzaffarpur are nearing completion, while new bus stands, vending zones for street vendors and multipurpose Samrat Ashok Bhavan buildings are also being rolled out across municipalities.
