Patna: In a major step toward modernising Patna, the city’s municipal authorities have unveiled a Rs 2,914 crore budget for 2026-27, with a strong focus on smart technology aimed at simplifying urban life. The budget was presented on Monday during a meeting of the Empowered Standing Committee of the Patna Municipal Corporation, chaired by Mayor Sita Sahu.
The highlight of the budget is the introduction of sensor-equipped streetlights across the city. According to Municipal Commissioner Yashpal Meena, Patna’s approximately 82,000 streetlights will be upgraded with Internet of Things (IoT) technology, allowing them to switch on automatically at dusk and off at dawn. The entire network will be monitored from a centralised control room, ensuring rapid detection and repair of any faults.
The budget also proposes an innovative ‘Demand Light’ system for pedestrian safety. Pedestrians will be able to halt traffic by pressing a button, triggering red signals for vehicles. To manage congestion, a 20-minute interval has been built into the system before the facility can be used again. Additionally, grand entrance gates will be constructed on the city’s seven main arterial roads.
In a bid to increase revenue and efficiency, the Municipal Corporation plans to implement GIS mapping for all properties in Patna. Officials hope this will reduce holding tax evasion, with a target of collecting Rs 137 crore this year.
Other measures in the budget include making hearses available across all six zones of the city, allowing families easier access during bereavements, and expanding smart infrastructure to new residential areas identified through a fresh survey.
Mayor Sita Sahu described the budget as a “transformative initiative” that will make Patna “a modern, convenient, and technology-driven city,” bringing it closer to the standards of India’s leading metropolitan areas.
