Patna: Patna’s Chandragupt Institute of Management (CIMP) hosted the Bihar Urban Symposium 2025 on Thursday, bringing together policymakers, administrators, academics and urban thinkers to deliberate on the future of Bihar’s cities. The event was organised in collaboration with RERA Bihar and UNICEF.
Opening the forum, CIMP Director Prof Rana Singh emphasised the institute’s role in fostering dialogue on inclusive and sustainable urban development.
Tokhan Sahu, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, highlighted Bihar’s cultural richness, citing Mithila paintings as a marker of identity. He argued that the state could emerge as a hub of education and self-reliance by balancing heritage with modern progress. Stressing the importance of infrastructure and sustainable planning, he envisioned greener, more resilient cities. He also interacted directly with students, offering insights into central government initiatives.
Bihar’s Urban Development Minister, Jibesh Kumar, outlined major state initiatives under the Swachh Bihar Mission, including generating electricity from plastic waste, introducing ‘Pink Toilets’ for women, and developing priority corridors to ease urban mobility.
Former housing secretary and ex-Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Durga Shankar Mishra delivered the keynote address, pointing to innovative financing, public-private partnerships and green financing as crucial tools to manage rapid urbanisation.
Dr S. Siddharth, Development Commissioner of Bihar, noted that regulatory reforms and effective implementation could transform urban landscapes, citing the Patna Metro Project — set to be completed by the end of this month — as a milestone in reducing congestion.
Other speakers stressed accountability, transparency, and citizen participation. RERA Bihar Inquiry Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Singh called for stronger regulation to protect homebuyers, while Janaagraha’s Anand Iyer underlined the role of public engagement in sustainable urban development.
Thematic sessions explored satellite cities, financing strategies, and disaster preparedness. Architect Kavi Jain spoke of creating livable urban infrastructure, while economist Prof Alakh Narayan Sharma and RERA Bihar chairman Vivek Kumar Singh discussed mobilising capital for sustainable growth. Dr Uday Kant Mishra of the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority urged stronger preparedness for urban disasters, and Akash Jha of the Institute of Town Planners stressed the centrality of planning in resilience.
The symposium closed with reflections on sustainability, inclusivity, innovation, and cultural pride as guiding principles for Bihar’s urban future. Prof Sunil Kumar of CIMP delivered the vote of thanks to dignitaries and participants.
