Patna: The Bihar government has accelerated the process of developing 12 satellite townships across the state, including the proposed Pataliputra and Hariharnathpur townships around the state capital. The Urban Development Department has decided to prioritise the development of the core areas of these townships, where initial settlements will come up.
At present, Social Impact Assessment (SIA) surveys are being conducted for four proposed townships — Pataliputra, Hariharnathpur, Magadh and Tirhut. The Pataliputra township will have a 3,008-acre core area, while the core area of Hariharnathpur will cover 2,000 acres.
The surveys will assess the social and economic conditions of people and families living in the areas proposed for acquisition. Land acquisition will be initiated after the survey reports are completed.
Urban Development Department Principal Secretary Vinay Kumar has written to the district magistrates of the four concerned districts, directing them to undertake SIA before acquiring land for development of the core areas. The districts have also been asked to prepare detailed plans and conduct the surveys accordingly.
Pataliputra township to come up near key infrastructure projects
The proposed Pataliputra township will have a special planning area of around 81,730 acres, with 3,008 acres designated as the core area.
The core area is planned near the Bihta-Sarmera Ring Road and Jat Dumri railway junction. It will also be close to the Punpun river, Patna-Gaya-Dobhi Road, Amas-Darbhanga Expressway, proposed FinTech City, Sports City and Judicial Academy.
The core area is expected to be around 13 km from the main city boundary, 21 km from Maurya Lok Complex, 20 km from Patna Junction and 24 km from Patna Airport.
Hariharnathpur township planned near Sonpur
The proposed Hariharnathpur township will have a special planning area of approximately 33,000 acres, including a 2,000-acre core area.
The township is planned around the junction of the Digha-Sonpur Highway, Bharatmala Road, Hajipur-Chhapra Highway and Patna Ring Road. The proposed Sonpur Airport and Bela Wheel Factory will also fall within the wider area of the township.
Why is the Social Impact Assessment being conducted?
The SIA is aimed at assessing the social and economic conditions, livelihoods and access to local resources of families likely to be affected by land acquisition.
The assessment will help authorities prepare a transparent framework for compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement of affected families and minimise potential legal and social disputes during land acquisition.
The process is being undertaken under the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
Roads, drainage, electricity and water to be prioritised
According to the proposed development plan, basic infrastructure will be created in the core areas immediately after land acquisition. This includes roads, drainage networks, electricity and water supply systems.
A key feature of the township model is the proposed land-for-developed-plot arrangement. Landowners whose land is acquired will be provided developed plots within the same core area through a transparent process, according to the plan.
The government also expects funding for the ambitious township programme to be supported by a Rs 1 lakh crore MoU with HUDCO, which is expected to provide financial backing for the projects.
The development of the 12 satellite townships is aimed at creating planned urban settlements and reducing pressure on existing cities while expanding infrastructure and economic activity in emerging areas of Bihar.
