Patna: Bihar Urban Development and Housing Minister Nitish Mishra has directed the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (BUIDCo) to complete ongoing projects within the current financial year while ensuring quality, timely execution and effective monitoring.
Mishra issued the directions during a detailed review meeting at the BUIDCo office on Tuesday. Urban Development and Housing Department Principal Secretary Vinay Kumar was also present.
BUIDCo Managing Director Animesh Kumar Parashar presented a detailed update on projects including storm-water drainage systems, the Mukhyamantri Samagra Shahri Vikas Yojana (MMSY), Namami Gange and various water-supply schemes.
Quality and deadlines to remain priorities
Mishra said the objective of urban development projects should extend beyond completing construction to creating high-quality, durable assets within stipulated timelines.
He directed officials to prepare detailed district-wise and project-wise action plans for pending works and instructed implementing agencies to clearly specify how and when the projects would be completed.
Ongoing works under MMSY were also reviewed, with the minister calling for regular monitoring and directing General Manager and Chief General Manager-level officials to conduct periodic reviews of pending projects.
He asked officials to complete tenders, work allocation and other procedural requirements within prescribed timelines to prevent avoidable delays.
AI and real-time monitoring proposed
Mishra called for greater use of technology in BUIDCo’s operations and directed officials to strengthen online monitoring systems and e-office mechanisms.
He said digital systems designed for engineers and contractors should be made simple and user-friendly.
The minister also directed officials to integrate and modernise the MIS and project portal, incorporating features such as AI-based dashboards, engineering reports, file tracking and contractor databases.
The objective is to enable real-time tracking of project progress and facilitate faster decision-making.
Action against poor-performing contractors
Mishra said contractors who consistently deliver quality work within stipulated deadlines should be encouraged and rewarded.
At the same time, contractors found to be negligent or consistently delivering poor-quality work should face debarment proceedings in accordance with the rules, he said, stressing the need for accountability.
The minister also directed that construction sites comply with mandatory safety and construction protocols, including regular monitoring, green netting and barricading. A special monitoring team is to be constituted for this purpose.
Engineers to receive exposure to modern technologies
Mishra called for greater emphasis on training, exposure learning and site visits for BUIDCo’s engineers and technical staff.
He asked officials to study modern construction technologies and practices being used in other parts of the country and adopt suitable methods in Bihar’s projects.
He also stressed the need to promote the use of artificial intelligence and modern technology in BUIDCo’s operations.
Focus on tourism zones and district offices
The minister directed BUIDCo to pay special attention to infrastructure projects associated with tourist destinations and tourism zones.
Inspection teams should be constituted wherever required to assess project quality and progress, he said.
He also called for strengthening BUIDCo’s district offices across all 38 districts of Bihar.
Effective coordination with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) was another priority discussed during the meeting. Mishra directed officials to work closely with municipal corporations and municipal councils to resolve local-level issues and prevent delays in project implementation.
The minister reiterated that quality, timely completion, regular monitoring, technology, transparency and accountability must remain central to the implementation of BUIDCo’s urban infrastructure projects.
