Patna: Bihar’s Urban Development and Housing Minister Nitish Mishra on Wednesday conducted a comprehensive review meeting with officials of the Patna Municipal Corporation to assess the city’s preparedness ahead of the monsoon season.
The meeting focused on waterlogging, drain construction and cleaning, drinking water supply systems, disaster management and emergency response measures across the state capital.
Focus on Safer and Modern Drain Cleaning
During the review, the minister directed officials to replace the term “manhole” with “machine hole” and instructed the civic body to procure modern machinery for cleaning and monitoring operations.
Mishra stressed that the safety of sanitation workers must remain the highest priority during drain-cleaning activities.
He said the use of modern equipment, including jetting and suction machines, would make operations safer, faster and more efficient.
The Patna Municipal Corporation is set to procure six mechanised scavenging machines, one for each of the city’s six administrative zones. Officials said the procurement process is currently underway.
Strict Deadline for Drain and Road Work
The minister instructed officials to ensure the completion of all pending drain construction and cleaning projects before the onset of heavy rainfall.
He warned that negligence would not be tolerated and said strict action would be taken against contractors found responsible for delays or poor-quality work.
Officials were also directed to complete all projects requiring road excavation by June 10 under any circumstances.
Key Directives Issued During the Review Meeting
The Urban Development Minister issued several instructions aimed at strengthening Patna’s monsoon preparedness:
- Conduct a detailed assessment of areas that witnessed severe waterlogging last year
- Prepare this year’s flood and drainage strategy based on past data
- Ensure coordination among all departments and agencies, including Sub-Divisional Officers
- Install warning signage at identified hazard-prone locations
- Prepare a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all monsoon-related activities
- Form a dedicated monitoring team within the Command Center
- Create contingency plans for pumps, motors and sumps during emergencies
- Maintain preparedness to assist other urban local bodies during crises
Drinking Water Supply Under Review
Reviewing the city’s drinking water supply system, Mishra instructed officials to analyse last year’s operational data and recurring issues to improve service delivery this year.
He said uninterrupted access to clean drinking water must be ensured even during emergency situations.
Number of Water Tankers to Increase
Officials informed the minister that the Municipal Corporation currently operates 13 water tankers, each with a capacity of 3,600 litres.
The minister directed officials to increase the number of tankers to 25 by renting additional units to meet rising summer demand.
He also instructed authorities to:
- Deploy tankers in densely populated and high-demand areas
- Ensure daily cleaning and refilling of water tankers
- Keep tanker lids securely locked to prevent contamination
Existing Water Tanker Deployment
At present, water tankers are stationed at several locations across Patna, including:
- Gardanibagh Road No. 2
- Shivpur Mahendru
- Dak Bungalow Crossing
- Gyan Bhawan
- GPO
- Hartali Mor
- Aaykar Golambar
- Deep Nagar Pump House
Additional reserve tankers are being used during major public events, examination periods and water supply disruptions.
Patna’s Expanding Water Supply Network
Officials said the Patna Municipal Corporation currently operates:
- 186 pump houses
- Approximately 120 kilometres of pipeline network
The network is being continuously expanded under multiple infrastructure projects in response to the city’s growing population and rising water demand.
Among those present at the meeting were Animesh Kumar Parashar, Managing Director of the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (BUIDCO), and Patna Municipal Commissioner Yashpal Meena.
