Patna: The Bihar government is set to restructure 18 municipal corporations by creating separate administrative zones, similar to the existing system in Patna, in an effort to improve monitoring and implementation of urban schemes.
Urban Development and Housing Department secretary Abhay Kumar Singh has written to district magistrates in Nalanda, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, East Champaran, West Champaran, Munger, Gaya, Purnia, Katihar, Saran, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Saharsa, asking them to prepare proposals for the new zones and submit reports.
According to the department, municipal corporations covering large areas make it difficult for commissioners to carry out regular inspections of projects and ward-level works, which can affect both quality and speed. Decentralising operations by creating multiple zones is intended to make supervision more effective.
The number of zones in each corporation will be determined by population size and area. Each zone will have its own executive engineer, engineers and other administrative officials to oversee schemes, while the municipal commissioner will retain overall oversight. Patna Municipal Corporation currently operates with six zones under this model.
