Patna: The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) is constructing four new state-of-the-art community halls across the city to improve civic infrastructure and public services. Three of the proposed multi-storey buildings will also accommodate zonal offices, enabling residents to access municipal services and community facilities under one roof.
The new community halls are being developed near Srikrishna Puri Park, Vaishali Golambar, and Gayatri Temple, while another facility has been approved for Ward No. 10.
Multi-Storey Buildings Under Construction
Under the Nutan Rajdhani Zone, a four-storey building is being constructed near the electricity office close to Srikrishna Puri Park at an estimated cost of Rs 14.87 crore.
Similarly, construction of a Rs 14.51-crore multi-storey building is underway near Vaishali Golambar in Ward No. 36 under the Bankipur Zone. Another building of the same estimated cost is being developed near Gayatri Temple in Ward No. 34 under the Kankarbagh Zone.
The Bankipur and Kankarbagh zonal offices will operate from these new buildings once completed.
Modern Amenities Planned
The civic body plans to equip the community halls with modern amenities, including elevators, two staircases in each building, and a fully centralized air-conditioning system. Officials said the facilities are being designed to offer greater convenience and improve the overall experience for citizens using the halls.
Booking Charges Likely to Increase
With the addition of centralized air-conditioning and other advanced facilities, the municipal corporation is expected to revise the rental charges for booking these halls. According to officials, higher maintenance and operational costs associated with the upgraded infrastructure have necessitated a revision in booking rates.
Current Booking Process
Patna currently has around 12 to 14 community halls operated by the municipal corporation. At present, the booking fee for one day is approximately Rs 2,500, while users are required to pay an additional Rs 1,000 towards electricity charges.
To book a community hall, applicants must obtain the consent of the concerned ward councillor before submitting an application to the Executive Officer. Bookings are generally allowed for a maximum of three days to ensure equal access for all residents.
However, officials acknowledged that the municipal corporation does not have a comprehensive record of the total revenue generated from community hall bookings. As a result, the civic body is working on a separate mechanism to streamline the operation, revenue management and fee structure for the upcoming facilities.
