Patna: Bihar’s deputy chief minister and urban development minister Vijay Sinha has directed officials to take immediate and strict action against illegal hoardings and unauthorised parking across Patna, warning that the government will not tolerate what he described as “mafia-like” activities.
During a review meeting with officials of the Patna Municipal Corporation on Wednesday, Sinha ordered that all illegal hoardings — except those currently under consideration by the high court — be removed within 24 hours. He also instructed authorities to halt illegal parking operations with immediate effect.
Sinha said such activities were causing revenue losses worth crores of rupees to the state exchequer and undermining urban governance. “Strict legal action will be taken against any individual or group found involved,” he said, adding that enforcement should not be treated as a routine exercise but as a decisive campaign.
Officials informed the minister that 18 illegal hoardings had been removed so far and that further action was under way. Around 20 cases related to hoardings in Patna are currently pending before the high court.
In response, Sinha directed that the Advocate General be requested to seek an expedited hearing of the pending cases to ensure enforcement is not delayed. He also asked officials to present details of action taken following departmental orders issued roughly 15 days ago.
The deputy chief minister instructed civic authorities to review progress daily and ensure there was no laxity in implementation, describing the drive as essential for safeguarding public revenue and improving the city’s regulatory framework.
