“While new townships will be set up keeping in view all future requirements to ensure organised development, it is equally important to take measures for efficient management and sustenance of the existing cities. We are also formulating policies in this regard,” Bihar Housing Minister Nitin Nabin said. Screengrab: Facebook/Nitin Nabin
The newly formed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s goal is to increase the urbanisation rate of Bihar, which is currently at 17%, to the national average of about 32%. The focus is on attracting further investment and creating more employment opportunities for the State’s youth, according to Bihar Urban Development and Housing Minister Nitin Nabin.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Nabin said as decided under the Satellite Township Scheme, for the first time in 40 years, after Pataliputra and Kankarbagh, 11 new cities would be developed. Nine of them would be commissionerates. “Considering the increasing population and requirements of major cities, there is a need for planned, environment-friendly, modern, and theme-based townships,” he said.
The Minister said the new cities would be based on various themes, such as education hubs and IT. “The new townships will include nine divisional headquarters cities, Sonepur and Sitamarhi (Sitapuram). The initiative will reduce population pressure on major cities, ensuring better basic infrastructure and scope for further expansion. Special emphasis will be laid on roads, traffic management, drainage, waste disposal, green parks, and residential areas,” he said.
The nine divisional headquarters were Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Darbhanga, Munger, Saran, Saharsa and Purnia. “Committees will be formed to monitor the townships’ overall development. Under the scheme, the land pooling policy will be implemented, which will also benefit landowners.”
Organised development
“While new townships will be set up keeping in view all future requirements to ensure organised development, it is equally important to take measures for efficient management and sustenance of the existing cities. We are also formulating policies in this regard,” Mr. Nabin said. The townships would have a minimum area of 100 hectares (relaxable up to 10 hectares in special circumstances).
In this regard, the Bihar government — under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar — has approved Bihar Town Planning Scheme Rules 2025. It is expected to ensure a structured land pooling framework; and efficient urban infrastructure development, mandating allocation of land for roads up to 22%; 3% for economically weaker section (EWS) housing; 5% for parks and social infrastructure; 55% for redistribution to landowners (or as per scheme requirements); and 15% (or as per scheme requirements) for saleable land.
Published – November 30, 2025 09:46 pm IST
