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Time of India
17-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
3-star cleanliness rating for Patna in nat'l survey
Patna: The state cities and municipalities have shown major improvement in the Swachh Survekshan 2024 rankings, the results of which were announced on Thursday. Patna was conferred the title of "Promising Swachh Shehar" and received the prestigious 3-star garbage-free city (GFC) certification from the ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA), govt of India. The state capital also retained its 'Water Plus' certification, as did Gaya, while Bhagalpur and Supaul were awarded one-star GFC ratings. Patna ranked 21st among 40 cities in the 'Million Plus' category for overall cleanliness. With a score of 10,584 out of 12,500, Patna's performance improved significantly, rising by 67% from last year's score of 6,320.9, based on assessments of sanitation and cleanliness initiatives. According to the detailed report card, Patna scored 100% in cleanliness of residential areas, market spaces and water bodies. The report also highlighted 99% waste processing versus generation, 96% efficiency in both door-to-door waste collection and cleanliness of public toilets, 64% in source segregation and 44% in dumpsite remediation. The announcement event was attended by senior officials of the urban development and housing department, including secretary Abhay Kumar Singh, Patna municipal commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar and additional secretary Vijay Prakash Meena. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Two women sanitation workers, Sulekha Devi and Manti Devi, were also part of the Patna delegation at the Delhi event. Sulekha, from Shanichara Sthan, has worked with the Patna Municipal Corporation for eight years while Manti, from Cheena Kothi, has been serving for the past two years. Speaking on the occasion, secretary Singh expressed satisfaction at the recognition and committed to further improvements: "All necessary steps will be taken to keep all municipalities in the state clean, tidy and beautiful. We will strive to win more awards in Swachh Survekshan 2025." Urban development and housing minister Jibesh Kumar lauded the progress and said, "In the previous cleanliness survey, only two cities – Patna and Supaul – received a one-star rating. This time, two cities have received 1-star and two cities have earned a 3-star rating in the GFC category." He added, "Last time, 56 cities received the ODF (open defecation free) Plus certificate, whereas this year, 100 cities have achieved this recognition. Also, Gaya has been awarded the ODF Plus Plus (ODF++) certificate, a distinction not earned by any city last year." Patna also improved its national standing among Ganga towns, rising to fourth position among 88 towns, up from sixth place the previous year. "The state govt places special emphasis on cleanliness. As a result, cities across Bihar are becoming cleaner by the day. The department is continuously striving to improve rankings through consistent efforts," the minister said.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
100 pink toilets to be built in 16 cities: Minister
Patna: At least 20 pink toilets will be installed under state schemes in six urban local bodies, in addition to 70 more being constructed under the (Urban) 2.0 in 10 other cities across Bihar, the urban development and housing department announced on Friday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In total, 100 pink toilets are being built across 16 urban local bodies as part of an initiative to provide safe, hygienic and private sanitation facilities for women. According to an official press release issued by the department, the project aims to protect women from sexual harassment and violence, while also safeguarding their health and dignity. Urban development and housing minister Jibesh Kumar highlighted the importance of this initiative in promoting women's well-being. "Safe, private and hygienic facilities are essential for women's health, dignity and empowerment. The pink toilet initiative is a novel step towards providing high-quality personal hygiene facilities for women and girls in the state," he said. "These toilets will be equipped with essential amenities such as electricity, water, cleanliness, and, most importantly, the availability of sanitary pads," he added. Abhay Kumar Singh, secretary of the department, outlined the cities and towns where the pink toilets will be constructed. These include Gaya Municipal Corporation, Muzaffarpur Municipal Corporation, Biharsharif Municipal Corporation, Purnia Municipal Corporation, Sasaram Municipal Corporation, Sitamarhi Municipal Corporation, Rajgir Nagar Parishad, Bodh Gaya Nagar Parishad, Sultanganj Nagar Parishad, Bhabua Nagar Parishad, Barahiya Nagar Parishad, Buxar Nagar Parishad, Jale Nagar Parishad, Singhwara Nagar Panchayat, Kamtaul-Ahiyari Nagar Panchayat and Dev Nagar Panchayat. Also, helpline numbers will be made available for each pink toilet and women caretakers are being appointed to manage and maintain the facilities.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
CM asks officials to expedite metro rail project work
Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday inspected the ongoing construction work on the Patna Metro Rail Project at Malahi Pakadi and Bhootnath metro stations and asked the officials to expedite work. The secretary of urban development and housing department (UDHD), Abhay Kumar Singh, gave detailed information to the CM regarding the progress and updated status of the construction work on the priority corridor (Malahi Pakadi to Pataliputra bus terminal) as the target is to start this line by Aug 15. Abhay informed the CM that the target is to complete the construction work on the total 6.20 km from Malahi Pakadi to Khemnichak, Bhootnath road, Zero Mile, Pataliputra bus terminal on priority basis. The state govt has provided Rs 115.10 crore for its operation. The UDHD secretary also apprised Nitish about the escalator, ticket counter, passenger facility, public area, paid area, lift, path to the platform and other necessary facilities to be provided at Malahi Pakadi metro station. The CM directed the officials to expedite the construction work. "We have been continuously inspecting its construction works and instructed the officials to ensure its completion on time so that people have convenience in commuting," the CM said. UDHD minister Jibesh Kumar; principal secretary to the CM, Deepak Kumar; secretary to the CM, Kumar Ravi; Patna commissioner Chandrashekhar Singh; DM Thiyagarajan SM; SSP Avkash Kumar and other senior officials of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Patna Metro Rail Project were present on the occasion. Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday inspected the ongoing construction work on the Patna Metro Rail Project at Malahi Pakadi and Bhootnath metro stations and asked the officials to expedite work. The secretary of urban development and housing department (UDHD), Abhay Kumar Singh, gave detailed information to the CM regarding the progress and updated status of the construction work on the priority corridor (Malahi Pakadi to Pataliputra bus terminal) as the target is to start this line by Aug 15. Abhay informed the CM that the target is to complete the construction work on the total 6.20 km from Malahi Pakadi to Khemnichak, Bhootnath road, Zero Mile, Pataliputra bus terminal on priority basis. The state govt has provided Rs 115.10 crore for its operation. The UDHD secretary also apprised Nitish about the escalator, ticket counter, passenger facility, public area, paid area, lift, path to the platform and other necessary facilities to be provided at Malahi Pakadi metro station. The CM directed the officials to expedite the construction work. "We have been continuously inspecting its construction works and instructed the officials to ensure its completion on time so that people have convenience in commuting," the CM said. UDHD minister Jibesh Kumar; principal secretary to the CM, Deepak Kumar; secretary to the CM, Kumar Ravi; Patna commissioner Chandrashekhar Singh; DM Thiyagarajan SM; SSP Avkash Kumar and other senior officials of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Patna Metro Rail Project were present on the occasion.
Mint
16-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
India now plans desilt all hydro power projects on rivers flowing to Pakistan, to be done once a month
New Delhi: With the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, India now plans to regularly flush out the waters at all hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir built on rivers flowing through to Pakistan, three people in the know of the developments said, as New Delhi continues to tighten the screws on Islamabad. Also Read | Indian defence firms skyrocket after Pakistan skirmish The plan is to carry out flushing or desilting that requires releasing a large volume of water from a reservoir to clear accumulated sediments, at least once a month during the monsoon season, said the three people aware of the matter. Also Read | Pakistan isn't that risky anymore. Its economy is a mini-miracle. This was not happening earlier on a regular basis because of the restriction placed by the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan. With India now holding the treaty in abeyance following the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, New Delhi plans to conduct such exercises, as and when required according to operational necessity—without giving Pakistan any advance notice or sharing data with it. Jammu and Kashmir is home to about 20 hydropower projects with an installed generation capacity of 3.5GW that can power three million households. As part of the new playbook, desilting has been done at three large projects on the Indus basin—Salal, Kishanganga and Baglihar—which fall under the purview of the treaty in the past two weeks. Also Read | The IMF's Pakistan loan spotlights the case for voting power reform It is estimated that average annual runoff of the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab is 136 million acre feet (maf), of which 40% (around 54 maf) comes from the Indian side. "Flushing will be a regular affair now as and when it is technically required, most likely once every month during the monsoon season. It will be done across all projects," said one of the three people mentioned above. India was required to get approval from Pakistan to carry out flushing— though this is a normal activity—as the downstream regions are in that country. In cases like Salal, flushing had not been carried out for several years due to objections from Pakistan, said another person, adding that flushing is important for the hydro projects to operate efficiently. "With the pressure of water flow remaining high in the Monsoon season, it is easier to carry out the operation during this period. These projects do not have large water holding capacity as this was not permitted under IWT. Post flushing the operational storage would somewhat increase," said a third person. According to former National Hydroelectric Power Corp. (NHPC) managing director Abhay Kumar Singh, apart from helping in efficient operations of hydro projects and increasing the water holding capacity, flushing would also provide a strategic edge to India as Pakistan would be concerned about a sudden flow of water and silt. "Flushing is very much required for these projects now. The non-requirement of informing Pakistan of the water releasing, holding or flushing activity would always keep them concerned and alert. This gives India a strategic upper hand. So far, although the land is ours, water is ours, the dam is ours, Pakistan used to have the major say but with the treaty now in abeyance India can take decisions on its own for its own benefit," Singh said. The development also comes at a time when India is also looking to speed up hydropower projects on rivers flowing into Pakistan after it suspended the Indus Water Treaty, two of the three people mentioned above said. The Centre is also exploring the possibility of building new projects on the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers, and their tributaries. The Indus Water Treaty, which was signed in 1960 through the mediation of the World Bank for sharing of river waters between India and Pakistan, was suspended by India following the killing of 26 people by terrorists in Kashmir's Pahalgam on 22 April. Queries mailed to the union ministries of power, Jal Shakti and external affairs, and NHPC remained unanswered till press time.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
East Champaran's Madhuban becomes state's 262nd urban local body
Patna: The state govt on Thursday announced the formation of Bihar's 262nd urban local body with the elevation of Madhuban village to a nagar panchayat, marking a development milestone for East Champaran development and housing department secretary Abhay Kumar Singh stated that the newly formed nagar panchayat encompasses an area of 552.94 hectares, comprising the villages of Vishunpurtara and Madhuban. The establishment of Madhuban nagar panchayat is expected to catalyse economic growth, improve living standards and create better opportunities for local residents while maintaining the area's cultural identity by bringing systematic urban planning and infrastructure development to the region. The development will include essential civic amenities like proper road networks, organised street lighting and regulated water distribution networks. Operation Sindoor 'Op Sindoor's precision & execution was unimaginable': Rajnath Singh Operation Sindoor: India repels drone, missile attack across LoC Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Additionally, the area will witness the development of crucial facilities, including educational institutions, healthcare centres and structured market development and housing minister Jibesh Kumar said that Madhuban nagar panchayat will now develop like other towns with all civic amenities. "Urbanisation is rapidly increasing in the state, and the department is committed to providing excellent infrastructure in these areas. This development aligns with Bihar's broader urbanisation strategy, bringing the total count of nagar panchayats in the state to 155. The department has outlined comprehensive plans to enhance the quality of life for the 16,391 residents (as per 2011 census) of the area," he said, adding the geographical boundaries of the new nagar panchayat are clearly defined, with Banki Tikam to north, Koilhara to south, Saraiya to east and Talimpur to west. Patna: The state govt on Thursday announced the formation of Bihar's 262nd urban local body with the elevation of Madhuban village to a nagar panchayat, marking a development milestone for East Champaran development and housing department secretary Abhay Kumar Singh stated that the newly formed nagar panchayat encompasses an area of 552.94 hectares, comprising the villages of Vishunpurtara and Madhuban. The establishment of Madhuban nagar panchayat is expected to catalyse economic growth, improve living standards and create better opportunities for local residents while maintaining the area's cultural identity by bringing systematic urban planning and infrastructure development to the region. The development will include essential civic amenities like proper road networks, organised street lighting and regulated water distribution networks. Additionally, the area will witness the development of crucial facilities, including educational institutions, healthcare centres and structured market development and housing minister Jibesh Kumar said that Madhuban nagar panchayat will now develop like other towns with all civic amenities. "Urbanisation is rapidly increasing in the state, and the department is committed to providing excellent infrastructure in these areas. This development aligns with Bihar's broader urbanisation strategy, bringing the total count of nagar panchayats in the state to 155. The department has outlined comprehensive plans to enhance the quality of life for the 16,391 residents (as per 2011 census) of the area," he said, adding the geographical boundaries of the new nagar panchayat are clearly defined, with Banki Tikam to north, Koilhara to south, Saraiya to east and Talimpur to west.
