The District Magistrate of Patna, Chandrashekhar Singh, issued an order earlier this week to resolve all land mutation cases that have been pending for more than 75 days by the end of this month in an effort to increase administrative efficiency. The move targets key blocks such as Sampatchak, Bihta, Didarganj, Dhanrua, and Naubatpur, where the bulk of the backlog totalling around 14,108 cases remains. As part of the larger initiative to digitize and increase transparency in land-related services, the Patna Municipal Corporation has launched an online facility to expedite property mutation and tax assessments, and the Bihar government has implemented corrective measures to address procedural delays.Read more

Vidhi Sangoi

Patna is undergoing a major infrastructure overhaul, led by the INR 13,365.77 crore Patna Metro project, with the 6.6-km priority corridor set to open by August 15, 2025. The city will also host India's longest road bridge-the 9.76-km Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur Bridge-over the Ganges, and a INR 3,712.40 crore Patna-Arrah-Sasaram expressway. Under the Smart Cities Mission, 17 of 33 projects are complete, while the proposed Greater Patna plan will extend city limits to 14 new blocks. Together, these initiatives aim to ease congestion, boost connectivity, and prepare Patna for a projected 6 million population by 2050.Read more

Visakhapatnam's 30-year master plan is set for finalization within four months, focusing on urban infrastructure, sustainable growth, and public participation. The plan includes INR 500 crore investment for 35 new roads to ease congestion, especially near Bhogapuram International Airport. The Visakhapatnam Metro Rail project will enhance urban mobility, following successful models in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Upgrades in water supply and drainage will tackle shortages, inspired by Chennai and Hyderabad's initiatives. Overseen by VMRDA, the plan ensures public consultation via online access, promoting transparency. Balancing industrial growth and environmental sustainability, the initiative aims to modernize Visakhapatnam's urban landscape.Read more

The Andhra Pradesh government has outlined land acquisition details for the Vizag metro rail project, requiring 99.8 acres, including nine acres of private land. Phase one, covering 46.23 km with 42 stations, has an estimated cost of INR 11,498 crore. Key corridors include Vizag Steel Plant to Kommadi, Gurudwara to Old Post Office, and Thatichetlapalem to Chinna Waltair. Political delays slowed progress, but the NDA-led government is now seeking full central funding. With tenders pending approval, the project is set to enhance Vizag's transport infrastructure, though land acquisition and funding challenges remain critical hurdles.Read more

The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) is mapping land use for newly merged mandals, covering 2,456 sq km, to develop a master plan. Using DGPS and topographic surveys, VMRDA will digitize cadastral data and overlay satellite imagery for accurate land assessments. The expansion follows the 2020 and 2021 jurisdictional extensions, adding 14 mandals. The maps will integrate utility data, infrastructure networks, and approved layouts to ensure sustainable urban development. This initiative aims to provide structured regional planning for Visakhapatnam's growth, aligning future infrastructure needs with expanding urbanization.Read more

The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a 13-day campaign targeting property tax defaulters, beginning with visits to seven properties on Exhibition and Jamal Roads. Five owners cleared dues on the spot, while two sought extensions. With 491 defaulters identified citywide, PMC's efforts have raised daily collections to INR 22 lakh, with a target of INR 200 crore for 2024-25. Past tax drives funded urban improvements like infrastructure upgrades and waste management, and the current campaign aims to replicate this success. By intensifying enforcement and encouraging compliance, the PMC is boosting fiscal health and supporting Patna's urban development.Read more

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Patna has attached properties valued at INR 7.03 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The properties, located in Patna and Noida, are registered under M/s Sri Anuanand Construction Pvt Ltd and its director, Bimal Kumar. Investigations revealed that funds collected from buyers for a real estate project in Danapur, Patna, were misused. Instead of completing the project, INR 7.82 crore was allegedly diverted for acquiring personal assets.Read more

The Patna Metro, a INR 13,365.77 crore project overseen by the Patna Metro Rail Corporation Limited (PMRCL), aims to modernise Bihar's capital with efficient and eco-friendly transit. Comprising two corridors spanning 32.91 km - the East-West Corridor (Danapur Cantonment to Khemni Chak) and North-South Corridor (Patna Junction to New ISBT) - the metro promises reduced congestion and shorter commutes. Funded by central and state governments, with JICA financing 60%, the project is set to launch by August 2025. This transformative initiative will boost connectivity, economic growth, and quality of life, marking Patna's leap toward sustainable urban development.Read more

PNT Reporter

Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced that the Patna metro rail is set to begin operations on August 15, 2025, coinciding with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's development agenda ahead of state elections. The project is part of the INR 32,506.90 crore supplementary budget, which also funds road repairs, new medical colleges, and a tourism hub in Kaimur. Despite opposition protests, the budget passed by voice vote, with INR 3,028.91 crore allocated to social welfare. The metro's launch is expected to boost Bihar's infrastructure and economy while benefiting marginalized communities through enhanced connectivity and modernization efforts.Read more

PNT Reporter

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has revamped its building plan approval system, significantly improving timelines over the past two months. Previously marred by delays, the online system introduced in 2016 now ensures faster communication of deficiencies and earlier approvals. Notably, 71% of plans are approved within the first week, compared to 20% earlier. In parallel, the Andhra Pradesh government is introducing additional reforms, including a single-window system and a new policy allowing municipal approvals to be bypassed for buildings under 15 metres. These changes aim to streamline processes and expedite clearances.Read more

PNT Reporter

The construction of Tata Consultancy Services' (TCS) facility at Madhurawada IT SEZ is advancing rapidly, supported by a proposal from Dallas Technology Centre (DTC) to lease and expand its premises. The state government approved DTC's requests for sub-leasing, occupancy certification, and 1,600 sqm of additional space at INR 6,720/sqm. Initially allocated a 7,774.90 sqm plot in 2016, DTC plans to accommodate 2,000 IT professionals in Phase I, necessitating further expansion. Following State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) endorsement, relevant departments are expediting the project. The facility is poised to boost employment and drive economic growth in the region.Read more

PNT Reporter

Patna landowners can now upload land details via self-declaration on the Revenue and Land Reforms Department's portal, with the deadline extended to February 2024. This follows the state's special land survey, initiated to update records last surveyed in 1911. Verification, claims, and objections will follow, ensuring transparency and accuracy. The Bihar cabinet also approved INR 49.73 crore for eco-tourism in Kaimur, INR 98.65 crore for Matsyagandha Lake, and INR 890.14 crore for the Akshar Aanchal Yojana to uplift marginalized communities. Additional funding supports education and ministerial housing, reflecting Bihar's efforts to modernize infrastructure and address socio-economic challenges.Read more

PNT Reporter

The establishment of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone, with its headquarters in Visakhapatnam, is progressing as the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has invited e-tenders for constructing the General Manager's office complex. With an estimated cost of INR 149.16 crore, the 12-story facility is part of efforts to operationalize the long-awaited zone, which was first announced in 2019. The move addresses historical grievances of north Andhra Pradesh residents, who felt excluded since the formation of the South-Central Railway Zone in 1966. With 52.2 acres of land in Mudasarlova allocated for the project, and the Detailed Project Report under review, the new zone is poised to enhance connectivity and infrastructure in the region, fostering economic growth and transforming Visakhapatnam into a critical railway hub.Read more

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is launching a pilot project using drones to monitor building plan compliance and detect unauthorised constructions. This initiative, which will begin in Zone II (Madhurawada, Kommadi), aims to streamline the identification of structural violations and could potentially increase GVMC's revenue by INR 100 crore through better property reassessment and taxation. Drones will replace traditional methods, offering precise geo-referenced data and real-time aerial footage to identify violations. The project also introduces a Vacant Land Tax (VLT) scheme to encourage landowners to utilise vacant plots, further boosting municipal revenue.Read more

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is partnering with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to create the Eco-Vizag Green City Action Plan (GCAP), which aims to integrate climate mitigation strategies into local initiatives. The draft plan proposes 42 measures across key sectors, including energy, transportation, and waste management, with a potential 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2034. High-impact initiatives include promoting electric vehicles and enhancing building codes. GVMC plans to refine the draft with input from local stakeholders, positioning the GCAP as a vital part of its broader Eco-Vizag campaign for sustainable development.Read more

Patna was selected under the Central Government's Smart Cities Mission (SCM) in 2017. As part of this developmental initiative, cities on the list are eligible to receive INR 1,000 crore over the period of five years, with funds provided by both the central and state governments. The goal is to develop selected areas within these cities by improving the civic facilities through smart technology and infrastructure. Patna's inclusion in the program was meant to enhance urban living, address key infrastructure challenges, and modernize city services to benefit its residents with improved, tech-driven amenities and a better quality of life.Read more

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) aims to bring 10,000 unassessed properties into the tax system this financial year, having already identified 4,600 such properties. It also found 877 underassessed properties and collected INR 135 crore through early bird property tax incentives, surpassing last year's INR 118 crore. GVMC's total property tax collection for 2023-24 stands at INR 457 crore, exceeding its target of INR 420 crore. The GVMC focuses on addressing unassessed and underassessed properties to boost revenue and has proposed enforcement teams to remove unauthorised constructions and encroachments while improving vacant land tax collection.Read more