Patna: Patna Municipal Corporation has announced a simple but significant change in the way it plans to solve the city’s everyday problems. In a meeting of the empowered standing committee held on Monday, the corporation decided that executive officers and ward councillors will now go into their areas every day and resolve issues on the spot. Complaints related to drinking water, blocked drains, broken roads and non-functioning streetlights will no longer wait for files to move between offices, officials said.
During the meeting, 26 different proposals were approved with the aim of making the municipal system faster and more responsible. Senior officials made it clear that sitting in offices and relying only on paperwork has often delayed solutions for citizens. By visiting wards daily, officers will be able to see problems themselves, speak to residents directly and immediately instruct the concerned departments. The corporation believes this will reduce public complaints and bring visible improvement at the ground level.
Street lighting was another key issue discussed in the meeting. The standing committee decided that a new agency to manage the city’s streetlights will be selected by April. Since the current agency’s contract ends on 31 December, its term will be extended for the time being to ensure that streetlights continue to function properly. Adequate lighting, officials said, is important for road safety and for preventing accidents and crime, especially at night.
To prepare for the monsoon season, the corporation approved funds for essential repairs in every ward. Each ward will be given Rs 5 lakh to repair damaged manholes and catch pits, with special focus on improving drainage systems to prevent waterlogging. Municipal Commissioner Yashpal Meena also informed the committee about a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme, under which people can clear pending municipal taxes by paying a lump sum without late fees or penalties. The scheme will remain valid until 31 March 2026 and is expected to increase the corporation’s revenue.
The meeting also cleared proposals to strengthen waste management in the city. The corporation will purchase 150 closed tipper trucks for door-to-door garbage collection, five handcarts for each ward and two super sucker machines to handle heavy waste. In addition, the remuneration of contract workers in the water supply zone will be increased. Amendments to the Bihar Municipal Area Advertisement Rules were also approved to make the system more transparent and improve income.
Mayor Sita Sahu, Deputy Mayor Reshmi Kumar and Municipal Commissioner Yashpal Meena were present at the meeting along with senior officials and committee members. The corporation has said that these decisions will soon bring noticeable improvements in cleanliness, lighting and basic civic facilities, and help restore public confidence in the city’s local administration.
