Patna: The Bihar government has approved a Rs 119.9 crore plan to digitise urban administration, in a move aimed at streamlining civic services and improving transparency across municipalities.
The proposal, cleared by the state cabinet under the National Urban Digital Mission, includes creation, development and maintenance of a unified e-governance platform across all urban local bodies.
Unified Platform For Civic Services
Officials said the initiative will enable citizens to access 19 key services online, including property tax assessment and payment, trade licences, building plan approvals, water and sewerage connections, and birth and death certificates.
The system will also include services such as grievance redressal, sanitation management, issuance of no-objection certificates and advertising-related permissions.
Addressing Fragmented Systems
Authorities said the move is designed to replace fragmented and inconsistent systems currently in place across urban local bodies, which often lead to delays, duplication of work and limited transparency.
By centralising services on a single platform, the government aims to standardise processes and reduce the need for citizens to visit offices repeatedly.
Infrastructure And Training
The project includes software development, hardware procurement and maintenance support for five years, along with staff training and the implementation of a double-entry accounting system.
Officials said employees in urban local bodies will be trained to operate the new system, ensuring a smoother transition to digital processes.
Boost To Ease Of Living And Business
The initiative forms part of the state’s broader governance agenda, including the “Saat Nishchay” programme, and is expected to improve both ease of living and ease of doing business.
Officials said the digital platform will help create a more efficient and investor-friendly environment, while delivering faster, more transparent services to residents.
The government said the rollout marks a significant step towards building a comprehensive digital governance ecosystem in Bihar’s urban areas.
