Patna: Bihar is preparing to expand the state’s urban administrative network, with the process of forming new municipal bodies and upgrading or expanding existing ones set to begin after September 15.
The Urban Development and Housing Department has asked all district magistrates to submit proposals based on the provisions of the Bihar Municipal Act. The department has also issued detailed guidelines specifying the information that must accompany each proposal.
Districts seeking the creation of new municipal bodies have been directed to submit their proposals by September 15.
121 New Urban Bodies Formed Earlier
According to department sources, 121 new municipal bodies were formed across Bihar based on proposals received from districts following amendments to the municipal legislation in 2020.
Several existing municipal bodies were also upgraded or expanded during the process, contributing to a significant increase in the state’s urbanisation rate.
The government is now considering extending municipal status to small markets and rapidly developing semi-urban areas that have acquired urban characteristics.
Population Criteria For New Municipal Bodies
The department’s guidelines refer to population thresholds notified in 2022 for specific categories of areas.
For special-category areas, a Nagar Panchayat can have a population of more than 9,000 and up to 30,000, while a Nagar Parishad can have more than 30,000 and up to 1.50 lakh people.
Areas with a population of more than 1.50 lakh can be considered for classification as a Nagar Nigam, subject to the applicable provisions.
Where the population has exceeded the prescribed range, proposals can be considered for the creation of a new Nagar Panchayat, Nagar Parishad or Nagar Nigam.
Population And Workforce Details Mandatory
Population alone will not determine whether an area is eligible for municipal status.
Proposals submitted by the district administration will also have to include details of the total workforce and agricultural workforce in the proposed area. The share of agricultural workers is required to be below 50% of the total workforce.
District magistrates will also have to provide details of the proposed area’s geographical extent, population density, proposed municipal boundaries, boundary descriptions and police station numbers.
These details will be used to assess the suitability and administrative viability of the proposed urban body.
Focus On Planned Urban Development
The department’s objective is to bring smaller markets and developing areas under the urban administrative framework and facilitate planned development through municipal master plans.
Once an area is brought under a municipal body, residents can benefit from a wider range of urban civic services, including sanitation, water supply, drainage, waste collection and street lighting.
Municipal status is also expected to facilitate the implementation of various urban development schemes in newly included areas.
Districts Asked To Submit Proposals By September 15
The Urban Development and Housing Department has directed districts proposing new municipal bodies or changes to existing municipal boundaries to submit their proposals no later than September 15.
The formal process for creating new bodies, upgrading existing ones and expanding their boundaries will proceed after the proposals are received and examined.
The move is expected to further reshape Bihar’s urban administrative map as smaller markets and rapidly developing areas are brought into the planned urban development framework.
