Patna: The Bihar government has expanded the Bhagalpur Planning Area and approved the preparation of a 20-year master plan aimed at guiding the city’s long-term growth alongside surrounding rural and urbanising areas.
According to the Urban Development and Housing Department, the move is intended to promote integrated development by bringing additional villages and urban settlements under a single planning framework.
Planning Area Expanded To 359 Sq Km
The notified planning area has been increased from 218.28 sq km to 359 sq km with the addition of 140.72 sq km.
Officials said the master plan will provide a roadmap for housing, road networks, drainage, drinking water supply, transport infrastructure, public amenities, green spaces and other future urban requirements. The plan is also expected to help regulate unplanned construction and support balanced urban expansion.
384 Villages Included
The expanded planning area includes the Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation, the Nagar Panchayats of Sabour and Habibpur, two census towns and 384 revenue villages.
Among the included blocks, Nathnagar accounts for the largest share with 144 villages. The revised planning area also covers 90 villages in Jagdishpur, 60 in Sabour, 42 in Shahkund, 33 in Sultanganj, 11 in Goradih and four in Narayanpur.
Government Approves New Boundaries
The state government has approved the revised boundaries of the Bhagalpur Planning Area along with the official map, the list of urban local bodies and revenue villages included in the expansion, and the corresponding population details.
Officials said the updated planning framework is expected to provide a coordinated approach to infrastructure development and urban management over the next two decades as Bhagalpur continues to expand.
