About the Urban Development & Housing Department (UDHD), Bihar

The Urban Development & Housing Department (UDHD) is the nodal government agency in Bihar responsible for facilitating sustainable and inclusive urban development. Its mandate extends to ensuring adequate infrastructure, amenities, and services for citizens residing in urban local bodies (ULBs) across the state.

The department is instrumental in formulating policies, planning urban areas, and implementing various schemes aimed at improving the living conditions and economic vibrancy of Bihar's cities and towns. It works closely with Urban Local Bodies (Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats) and various parastatal agencies to achieve its objectives.

Key Functions and Responsibilities of UDHD Bihar

The functions of the UDHD are extensive and cover various facets of urban life:

1. Urban Planning and Development:

• Formulation and implementation of urban development policies and plans.
• Preparation of Master Plans and Zonal Plans for cities and towns.
• Ensuring planned growth and preventing haphazard development.
• Promoting transit-oriented development and sustainable urban practices.

2. Provision of Civic Services & Infrastructure:

• Water Supply: Ensuring access to safe and adequate drinking water in urban areas.
• Sanitation & Solid Waste Management: Planning and implementing sewerage systems, storm water drainage, and efficient solid waste collection, processing, and disposal. This includes projects under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).
• Roads & Public Transport: Development and maintenance of urban roads, and promotion of public transport systems.
• Street Lighting: Ensuring adequate public lighting in urban areas.
• Urban Green Spaces: Development and maintenance of parks and public spaces in ULBs.

3. Housing:

• Formulating and implementing housing policies, especially for affordable housing.
• Implementing central schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) to provide housing for all eligible families by 2022.
• Developing slum rehabilitation and redevelopment policies.
• Working through agencies like the Bihar State Housing Board for housing projects.

4. Regulatory and Administrative Functions:

• Supervision of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): Providing guidance, financial support, and administrative oversight to Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats.
• Building Regulations: Modernizing building laws and ensuring compliance with building permits and construction standards.
• Property Tax: Streamlining assessment and collection of property taxes.
• Trade Licenses: Facilitating the issuance and renewal of trade licenses.
• Birth and Death Registration: Overseeing these municipal services.
• Grievance Redressal: Establishing mechanisms for citizens to register complaints regarding civic services.

5. Implementation of Central & State Schemes:

The department acts as the nodal agency for various centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) and state-funded initiatives, including:

• AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation): For urban infrastructure development.
• DAY-NULM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods Mission): For poverty alleviation and livelihood generation in urban areas.
• Smart Cities Mission: For developing selected cities into 'Smart Cities' with advanced infrastructure and services. (e.g., Biharsharif Smart City Mission).
• HRIDAY (National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana): For preserving and revitalizing the heritage character of cities (e.g., Gaya).
• Various state-specific schemes for urban infrastructure and welfare.

6. Capacity Building and Reforms:

• Strengthening the institutional capacity of ULBs.
• Promoting urban reforms and good governance practices.
• Implementing e-governance initiatives for efficient service delivery.
• Providing technical and human resource support to ULBs.

Associated Bodies / Undertakings under UDHD Bihar

To effectively implement its mandate, UDHD Bihar works in conjunction with several key agencies:

• Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (BUIDCo): A flagship company owned by the Government of Bihar, mandated to execute and accelerate urban infrastructure projects across the state. This includes water supply, sewerage, drainage, solid waste management, urban transport, and affordable housing projects.
• Bihar Urban Development Agency (BUDA): Often acts as a State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) for planning, monitoring, and implementation of various urban development schemes.
• Bihar State Housing Board (BSHB): Focuses specifically on housing projects and providing affordable housing solutions.
• Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC): The principal ULB for the state capital, with which the UDHD works closely for Patna's development.
• Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): The numerous Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils (Nagar Parishads), and Nagar Panchayats across Bihar are directly supervised and supported by the UDHD.

Key Initiatives and Focus Areas

• Housing for All (PMAY-U): A major thrust area to ensure every eligible urban family has a house by 2022 (though the target year has passed, implementation continues).
• Smart City Development: Transforming selected urban centers into digitally advanced, citizen-friendly, and sustainable cities.
• Integrated Solid Waste Management: Modernizing waste collection, segregation, and processing.
• Improved Water and Sewerage Networks: Expanding and upgrading water supply and drainage systems to meet growing urban demands.
• Urban Mobility: Enhancing public transport and improving road infrastructure.
• Digitization of Municipal Services: Moving various civic services online for greater transparency and ease of access for citizens.
• Urban Reforms: Implementing financial and administrative reforms in ULBs for better governance.

Contact Information & Official Websites

• Urban Development & Housing Department, Government of Bihar:
  • Official Website: https://state.bihar.gov.in/urban/
  • Alternative/Associated Portal: http://urban.bih.nic.in/
  • Address: 1st Floor, Vikas Bhawan, New Secretariat, Patna - 800 015, Bihar, INDIA.
  • Email: urbansec-bih@nic.in
  • Phone: 0612-2215580, 2215385
• Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (BUIDCo):
  • Website: https://www.buidco.in/
• Bihar Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM related):
  • Website: https://biharsulm.in/ (may contain specific program details)

For specific services or detailed information, it is always recommended to visit the official websites or contact the department directly through the provided channels.