By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: In an ambitious move to develop new urban areas in Bihar, the state government is preparing nine greenfield townships, each spanning 2,000 acres. One township will be established in each division of the state. The government will acquire only 10 percent of the total land needed for these townships, with the remaining land developed through a public-private partnership involving local residents.
After receiving cabinet approval in March, a selection committee, chaired by the Development Commissioner, was formed to identify suitable land for the townships. According to department officials, the land acquisition process is expected to start in September. The team, led by the Development Commissioner, has already visited proposed sites and provided various suggestions and presentations. The committee met in July and is scheduled to hold another meeting this month to finalize site selections.
To ensure systematic development, the government is formulating a separate planning regulation for these greenfield townships. The development will be similar to the planned land development seen in Greater Noida, featuring a network of wide roads and designated areas for hospitals, parks, schools, post offices, and playgrounds.
Anand Kishor, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department, stated that work is progressing rapidly on this project. Visible progress on the ground is expected within the next one or two months. The land surrounding each township will be designated as a buffer zone where construction will be prohibited. The townships will feature multi-storey buildings, well-developed connecting roads, and will promote the use of solar energy. Additionally, there will be advanced drainage systems and designated spaces for malls, marts, and vegetable stores.
The author is a Patna based journalist
