Patna: The Bihar government has started building 2,600 Panchayat Government Buildings to improve rural governance and make public services more accessible. This major step is part of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s plan to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of Gram Swaraj – self-reliant villages.
The construction is being carried out by the Building Construction Department. Out of the 2,600 buildings, 1,187 are being built in flood-affected areas and 1,488 in general areas. These buildings will act like mini secretariats, where villagers can access all government services in one place.
Each building will be two-storeyed. In general areas, the building will cover 7,202 square feet, while in flood-prone regions, it will be larger at 9,538 square feet. The buildings will include offices for Panchayat staff, a Gram Kachahri (village court), meeting halls, record rooms, citizen reception areas, service centres, and even post offices. There will also be space for key staff to stay if needed during emergencies.
Secretary of the Building Construction Department, Kumar Ravi, said that construction has already begun on 2,000 buildings, and the remaining 400 will start soon after the tender process is completed. He added that these buildings will make it easier for villagers to complete government work locally, making rural administration more efficient and transparent.
