In a significant move aimed at transforming its cities, Bihar's administration has decided to look towards Gujarat's successful framework for urban development. The state's Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister, Vijay Kumar Sinha, announced this strategic shift during a high-level review meeting held in Patna on Friday.
Gujarat's Blueprint for Bihar's Urban Future
Vijay Kumar Sinha explicitly pointed to Gujarat's 56% urbanisation rate as a benchmark for Bihar to follow. He stated that studying and implementing aspects of the Gujarat model is crucial for modernising Bihar's own municipal infrastructure. The minister emphasised that this emulation is not merely aspirational but a necessary step to enhance public service delivery and the overall urban environment for Bihar's residents.
Immediate Reforms and Strict Deadlines
During the meeting, which saw the participation of all 15 branches of the urban development and housing department, Sinha issued clear instructions for visible change. He mandated that alterations in the functioning of municipal bodies must become apparent within one month. To achieve this rapid transformation, the minister has prioritised key areas for immediate reform.
The focus will squarely be on revamping systems in sanitation, taxation, and waste management. Sinha stressed that improving these core services is fundamental to upgrading the urban landscape and making civic bodies more efficient and responsive to the public's needs.
Departmental Accountability and Upcoming Reviews
In a move to ensure thorough preparation and accountability, Minister Sinha has directed each branch of the department to submit comprehensive reports on their current status and plans. This directive comes as he prepares to conduct individual, in-depth reviews of every department in the coming days. The coordinated session was designed to align all wings of the urban development apparatus towards the common goal of infrastructure modernisation.
This initiative signals a proactive approach by the Bihar government to address urban challenges by learning from a state that has demonstrated notable success in urban planning and development. The coming month will be critical in observing the initial steps taken by municipal bodies across Bihar to meet the minister's call for visible improvement.
