The Bihar state cabinet made several key decisions during its meeting on Tuesday. These decisions focus on urban development, infrastructure upgrades, and resource management in the capital city of Patna.
Mega Plan for Rajbanshi and Shastri Nagars
Cabinet members approved the selection of a consultant to prepare a new mega plan for Rajbanshi Nagar and Shastri Nagar in Patna. Arvind Kumar Chaudhary, the additional chief secretary of the cabinet secretariat department, provided details about this initiative.
He explained that the proposed mega plan will cover both residential and non-residential areas within these two localities. The cabinet sanctioned a payment of Rs 1.59 crore, including GST, to the chosen consultant for developing this comprehensive plan.
Underground Electricity Cabling Projects
In a significant move to improve power infrastructure, the cabinet sanctioned substantial funds for laying underground electricity transmission cables. This work will occur across various divisions of the Patna Electric Supply Undertaking, commonly known as PESU.
The cabinet approved Rs 576 crore for underground cabling in nine out of the thirteen PESU divisions. This total amount includes central assistance of Rs 346 crore under a central government scheme. The state's share for this portion amounts to Rs 230 crore.
Additionally, the cabinet allocated Rs 76 crore from the state plan fund for underground cabling in the remaining four PESU divisions. These divisions are Danapur, Khagaul, Guljarbagh, and Kankarbag-2.
Patna Ring Road Land Acquisition
The cabinet also sanctioned Rs 284 crore for acquiring 185 acres of private land, known locally as ryoti land. This land spans across eleven revenue villages and will serve a crucial purpose.
Officials plan to use this acquired land for constructing a six-lane road over an 8.48-kilometer stretch between Kanhauli and Sherpur. This section will include the junction point of the Bihta-Danapur elevated road, forming part of the larger Patna Ring Road project.
Of the total sanctioned amount of Rs 284 crore, the estimated state share of Rs 142 crore also received administrative approval from the cabinet. The project falls under the central government's Bharatmala programme.
Once completed, this road is expected to allow heavy vehicles to move smoothly without entering Patna city. It should also facilitate development in villages located along the corridor.
Transfer of Sand Ghats
In another important decision, the cabinet approved the transfer of several sand ghats from one department to another. This move involves seven sand ghats along the river Ganga in Patna district and two sand ghats in Vaishali district.
These ghats will shift from the mines and geology department to the Bihar State Road Development Corporation, abbreviated as BSRDC.
The specific Ganga sand ghats in Patna district transferred to BSRDC include Patna Ganga-2A, Patna Ganga-2B, Patna Ganga-2C, Patna Ganga-2D, Patna Ganga-2E, Patna Ganga-3A, and Patna Ganga-3B. From Vaishali district, the two transferred sand ghats are Vaishali Ganga-6E and Vaishali Ganga-6F.
Officials stated that this transfer will help ensure smoother execution of road and infrastructure projects that require sand. It should also streamline coordination between departments involved in large-scale urban and regional development works across Bihar.
