Patna: The Bihar government is planning to prepare Urban Social Infrastructure Development Plans for all 264 urban local bodies in the state, with a focus on expanding access to education, healthcare, parks, sports facilities and other community amenities alongside basic civic infrastructure.
The Urban Development and Housing Department will select a private agency to assess the existing facilities and identify infrastructure gaps across the cities. The agency will also prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) based on its assessment.
The proposed exercise aims to bring social infrastructure into the broader framework of urban planning, which has traditionally focused on facilities such as roads, drainage, drinking water and electricity.
Survey to Assess Existing Facilities and Infrastructure Gaps
According to the department, the selected agency will survey the facilities available in different cities and assess the requirements of individual localities.
Read Also: NBCC Signs MoUs for Rs 2,000 Crore Patna Redevelopment Projects, to Develop 3,331 Residential Units
The assessment will examine the availability of key amenities in relation to population size, including:
- Schools and other educational institutions.
- Hospitals and healthcare centres.
- Public parks and recreational spaces.
- Sports grounds and playgrounds.
- Other community and entertainment facilities.
The DPRs will identify areas where facilities are available and those where additional infrastructure is required.
Future Population Growth to Be Considered
The planning exercise will not be limited to the needs of the existing population. It will also estimate future population growth in urban areas and assess the additional social infrastructure that may be required in the coming years.
Based on these projections, the plans will outline the potential requirements for schools, hospitals, parks and other community facilities.
Focus on Reducing Uneven Access to Amenities
Another objective of the exercise is to address differences in the availability of civic and social infrastructure between slum settlements and more developed residential areas.
Development plans will take into account the requirements of individual neighbourhoods so that infrastructure needs can be identified at the local level.
The DPRs prepared through this exercise will serve as the basis for subsequent development and construction plans. The department’s initiative therefore marks a planning exercise covering all 264 urban local bodies, with social infrastructure forming a key part of the proposed urban development framework.
Read Also: PM RAHAT Scheme: Bihar to Provide Cashless Treatment Up to ₹1.50 Lakh to Road Accident Victims
