(Bihar Times)The current state of affair in regards to JNNURM(Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal) projects for Patna and Bodhgaya is very much disappointing. State has so far been able to submit only nine DPRs(Detailed project report) out of which just one has been approved. Balance has been returned for modification by the appraising authorities. Leading state in this regard are Maharshtra with 143(56) DPRs , AP with 101(39) DPRs and Gujarat with 97(56) DPRs, Karnataka with 70 (42) DPRs. Figures in the brackets indicate approved DPRs. Details of DPR submitted by Bihar is as given below along with its status, date of last action and also the proposal size in the brackets.

1. Development of roads of Patna Town (Returned for Modification, 5/10/2006, 10614.72)                                                     

2. Strengthening of drinking water supply system by providing underground dedicated cable network (Returned for Modification, 5/10/2006, 4020.43)                              

3. Drainage project of Patna Municipal Area (Returned for Modification, 15/11/2006, 73153.3)                                                           

4. Sewerage project of Patna Municipal Area (Returned for Modification, 15/11/2006, 15280)                                                

5. Municipal Solid Waste Management for Patna town (Ist installment released, 8/5/2007, 7071.35, 3695.4),                                                   

6. Storm Water Drainage system for Patna (Part I) Major Drains (Returned for Modification, 19/04/2007, 8909.79)                                                    

7. Water Supply system for Patna (Returned for Modification, 19/09/2007, 30322),     

8. Sewage collection and treatment system for Patna (Returned for Modification, 25/10/2007, 29400.3),                                                          

9. Rehabilitation of Strom Water Drainage System at Kankarbagh (Returned for Modification, 4/1/2008, 4177.47)

Barring the 36.95 crore amount for solid waste disposal, no other project has been approved till date. This reflects badly on the competencies of state administration once again.

Beyond these immediate happenings on JNNURM front there is also a need for wide ranging re-look on states urbanization aspects. However, most of the burden in this regard has to be shouldered by central government. If central government is really worried about the large scale migration out of Bihar to bigger cities, same cannot be said based on its programs till now. Perhaps it is more concerned about the out migration only when it fails to conform to the principle of use and throw.   Only this can explain why there is continued discrimination against Bihar in the matter of according priority in the development of basic as well as institutional infrastructures.  This discrimination against the state can be seen in the NHDP programs, can be seen in the national gas grid plans too. Moreover, it is also evidenced in the location of economically important institutions, be it the head offices of CPSUs (including banks) or be it offices of regulatory bodies and nodal agencies not to mention the centers of academic and research institutions. Furthermore even policy in regards to JNNURM has done no justice to the state.   

As a matter of fact, Bihar enjoys urbanization to the extent of only 10% of population as against national average of close to 28%. This figure is as high as 42% in states like TN and Maharashtra. Reason for this low index of urbanization has something to do with lack of work opportunity in the urban areas of state. Then there is also complete lack of any modern urban amenities in the cities of the state. Problem is so acute that a lot of well off people plan their post retirement life in the cozy environs of the metropolises and bigger cities, than in the cities of the state.  These two causes, viz lack of work opportunities and complete lack of any modern urban amenities, can be primarily hold responsible for the observed low growth in urbanization index of Bihar.

While growth of cities in Bihar could be an important element in checking out migration, it seems that neither the central government nor the state government is worried about it. Even if one were to ignore failure to create enough work opportunities around which these cities could have been developed, one can hardly ignore the lack of sensitivity in developing the urban amenities in the promising cities of the state. This brings us to the glaring omissions of important cities of Bihar from the ambit of JNNURM.   Central authorities, in their wisdom, chose not to consider cities like Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga for JNNURM program. However, what smacks of their complete insincerity towards the plight of state is their decision to dissociate even Gaya from the JNNURM plan of Bodhgaya.  This has been the case notwithstanding the fact that quality urban amenities will also help attract large- scale work opportunities.

There is an emergent requirement to develop the select cities in the state to specific standards. For example if Patna needs to be developed in a metropolis, the other cities like Muzaffapur, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Darbhanga also need to be developed in the mega cities of tomorrow with projected population of two to three millions. This could have been done by bringing these cities under the ambit of JNNURM. Alternatively, state government should come up its own plan and put these cities on par with JNNURM cities of 'B' type. Though at the moment Patna is also a 'B' category city under JNNURM, all efforts should be made to promote it to the standard of category 'A' cities.

Additionally, there is need to develop a good number of cities in the state as industrial cities, each dependent on some specific type of industry. A program should be drawn up on the kind of urban amenities which would be required for these cities. These cities should be planned for projected population size of around five lacs in the next 15 years. Development plan for such cities should also factor in the intended industrial hub specific requirements.  These cities along with the suggested type of industrial clusters can be developed for the purpose as specified below.

1. PCPIR- Barauni

2. Mechanical- Samstipur

3. Electrical- Madhepura,

4. Metal Processing, Foudry and Forging-Bettiah,

5. Mineral Based Industry-Nabinagar,

6. Mechanical-Chapra

7. Automotive- Munger

8. Entertainment-Arrah

9. Civil Engg- Sasaram.

10. Textile- Kahalgaon

11. Leather & Jute- Katihar

12. Gems and Jewelry-Rajauli

13. Electronics Good-Jhajha

14.  Advance Technology- Biharsharief

Yet another set of cities can be developed around the agro based industry. These cities can be typically designed to have population base of around two to three lacs.   Amenities in these cities will have to be also planned in line with their proposed business plans. These agro cities can be developed as the hub of the following agro-based industries.

i.                     Paddy processing:

ii.                   Maize processing:

iii.                  Makhana processing

iv.                 Fruit Processing

v.                   Honey processing city

vi.                 Potato processing city

vii.                Poultry Industry

viii.              Milk  Processing City

ix.                 Cane processing city-

x.                   Jute processing city

xi.                 Tea processing city

xii.                Vegetable Processing

xiii.              Vegetable Oil

xiv.              Spices

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Comment

comments...

Very good and detailed article. Instead of just criticizing the government and state leaders, the article details about growth and ideas of development.

Thanks for Bihar Times for providing a medium where a professionals and others who love their homeland can share some ideas.

I would request Bihar Times team to focus and publish the "Good" work performed by citizens in Bihar region. This will motivate the people who are doing it and be inspiration for others also.

Dhiraj Kumar

Cognizant Technology Solutions AG
kumar.dhiraj@credit-suisse.com

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raikantikumar@gmail.com