Patna's draft master plan in public domain

Patna's draft master plan was put in the public domain Thursday for seeking suggestions and objections from residents, Bihar Urban Development and Housing Minister Samrat Choudhary said.

Choudhary said the state cabinet last month declared the "plan area" in the proposed master plan for Patna. "Now, we have put it in public domain and it would remain there for two months. It would be placed before the cabinet for final approval," he told reporters here.

He said the city would be spread over 1,167 sq km against the existing 250 sq km. Over 600 sq km area is marked as urban area.

The urban area will be spread over around 60 percent of the plan area, including two satellite towns aimed at sustaining urbanisation and population growth during the next two decades.

The city will have over 400 sq km area marked as green cover, making it comparatively greener. Over 16 percent of the total area is proposed to be used for roads.

Choudhary said the plan area includes 13 blocks. The urban development department would ensure that the existing structures in the city remain untouched. The plan area will be spread over five urban local bodies, including the Patna Municipal Corporation.

The presentation on the draft was made by experts from the Centre for Environment Planning and Technology, Ahmedabad.

The last master plan for Patna (1961-1981) had ended 33 years ago. Though a master plan was prepared for the period 1981-2001, it did not have the formal approval of the state government.