Bihar Planned Development | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Overview

This slow pace of urbanization in Bihar is indeed a long term phenomenon. Between 1961 and 2011, a span of half a century, the level of urbanization in Bihar has increased by only 3.9 percentage point, from 7.4 percent (1961) to 11.3 percent (2011).

• The Bihar government has intensified its focus on urban development over recent years. As per the Economic Survey 2023-24, the state's urban sector witnessed substantial progress, driven by increased allocations under various schemes like the Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation), and PMAY-U (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban).
• In FY 2023-24, urban development in Bihar saw a growth rate of approximately 19%, reflecting consistent government efforts in improving infrastructure, housing, and municipal services. A significant portion of this growth was fueled by improved municipal finance management across the 38 largest towns in Bihar, with digital platforms now being utilized to track and enhance revenue collection, service delivery, and urban governance.
• Moreover, Bihar's urban development efforts align with national initiatives like sustainable urbanization and green transition, aiming to incorporate renewable energy projects and eco-friendly public infrastructure within urban areas. These developments emphasize the state's long-term vision of sustainable, inclusive urban growth and increased resilience to climate change

Urban Development Programmes

• To improve the living conditions in urban areas, a number of development programmes are now being implemented by the state government. Most of these programmes are being jointly funded by the central and the state government. This section presents the details of important urban development programmes 
  (i) Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG),
  (ii) Urban  Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT),
  (iii) Namami Gange Scheme (NSG),
  (iv) Integrated Housing and Slum Development Plan (IHSDP),
  (v) Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY),
  (vi) Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and
  (vii) Smart City Mission
  (viii) AMRUT Mission

1. Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG)

The UIG program focuses on improving critical infrastructure like solid waste management, water supply, and sewerage in urban areas. Patna Urban Agglomeration, encompassing Patna, Danapur, Khagaul, and Phulwarisharif, continues to receive significant investment. Bodh Gaya's water supply and sewerage systems have been upgraded, with financial achievements surpassing 80%.

2 .Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT)

This programme was launched to develop small and medium towns. Under this, 11 schemes were taken up in Bihar. The schemes for which the financial achievement was relatively higher were all for road and drainage in several small and medium towns in Bihar.

3. Namami Gange Scheme

In Bihar, 32 towns have been identified for comprehensive projects under Namami Gange, including sewerage management, solid waste handling, and riverfront development. In Munger, a project with a 174.75 km sewer network and a 30 MLD STP has been completed, significantly improving local wastewater managemen

4. Integrated Housing and Slum Development Plan (IHSDP)

The IHSDP focuses on improving housing conditions in urban slums. As of 2024, 30 housing projects in 26 towns have been completed, contributing significantly to reducing urban housing deficits, especially in Muzaffarpur and Ara.

5. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)

Replacing the Rajiv Awas Yojana, PMAY-U aims to provide housing for all by 2025. Over 1.5 lakh houses have been sanctioned in Bihar, with Patna and Darbhanga being key beneficiaries of this initiative. The state has reported a 75% completion rate for ongoing housing project

6. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

This is one of the flagship projects launched by the central government in 2014 to improve the sanitation standards in the country. With Bihar facing an acute problem of open defecation, the state government has joined the central government in eliminating this problem. The state government has  for now constructed over 9 lakh toilets in urban areas, surpassing its initial target, and continues to focus on solid waste management in cities like Gaya and Muzaffarpur.

7. Smart City Mission (SCM)

Bihar's four smart cities—Patna, Bhagalpur, Bihar Sharif, and Muzaffarpur—are undergoing a digital transformation. Patna's Metro Rail Project is a flagship initiative under SCM, with the first 6.5 km corridor expected to be operational by 2025. Additional projects include intelligent transport systems and smart grids

8. AMRUT Mission (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation)

AMRUT focuses on improving urban living standards in 26 cities of Bihar, including Patna, Gaya, and Bhagalpur. Recent developments include the expansion of sewage treatment plants (STPs) and the improvement of water supply systems. The state government is also working on comprehensive urban transport networks

Bihar Rural Development

1. Infrastructure Development

Rural Housing: Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G), Bihar has made significant progress in providing pucca houses to rural households. The state aims to achieve housing for all by the end of 2024.

Rural Roads: The Mukhya Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) continue to enhance connectivity, crucial for economic growth and access to essential services.

2. Employment Generation

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) remains a pivotal scheme in Bihar, providing employment opportunities and contributing to infrastructure development in rural areas. There are 14.3 Cr Job Cards holder and 25.16 total No. of Workers as in 2023-24. 

3. Agricultural Development

Fourth Agriculture Road Map (2023-2028): Launched in 2023, this roadmap emphasizes sustainable agriculture, organic farming, and climate-resilient practices to combat the challenges of erratic rainfall and climate change. Organic corridors along the Ganga have been established to promote organic farming and boost farmer incomes.

Ethanol Production: Bihar is leveraging maize production for ethanol, reducing fossil fuel dependence and promoting renewable energy.

4. Water Resource Management

With declining rainfall, water conservation is a priority. Initiatives like Jal Jeevan Hariyali Abhiyan focus on sustainable water management, preserving the state's identity as a water-rich region.

5. Livelihood Enhancement

The Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) aim to enhance self-employment opportunities, especially for women and marginalized communities, through skill development and financial inclusion.

6. Climate Resilience and Sustainability

Promoting climate-resilient agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable farming practices are key to mitigating climate impacts and ensuring food security.

Challenges

Despite progress, Bihar faces challenges such as:

• Inadequate rainfall and climate variability.
• Infrastructure gaps in remote areas.
• Need for enhanced healthcare, education, and sanitation services in rural regions.