Infra push as PMC approves Rs200-cr bonds

Patna: Ending a nearly seven-month stalemate, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Saturday approved a major decision to raise Rs 200 crore through municipal bonds to fund civic infrastructure while clearing most development-related proposals that had been stalled due to controversy.The resolutions were passed during the 10th general board meeting, chaired by mayor Sita Sahu, after the 9th meeting had been adjourned twice over three disputed items. While those contentious proposals were kept aside, the House approved eight of the nine new proposals placed before it, with several councillors offering suggestions for refinement.The most significant decision was the approval to issue municipal bonds worth Rs 200 crore, supplemented by a Rs 26 crore contribution from the central govt.

The funds will be used to develop basic infrastructure and improve civic amenities across the city.However, the bond proposal drew objections from councillor Ashish Kumar Sinha, a former member of the Empowered Standing Committee, who cautioned against raising funds without a clear project roadmap. He argued that bonds required repayment with profit and therefore demanded long-term planning. He said the corporation must have a minimum 10-year strategy and rely on internal revenue sources such as holding tax and waste collection charges to ensure financial sustainability.

Responding to the concerns, PMC commissioner Yashpal Meena said the funds would be invested in income-generating projects. He said vending zones, shopping malls and commercial complexes were being planned to strengthen the corporation’s revenue base. He also highlighted plans to redevelop the Patna Junction area, noting that it was the first point of contact for visitors arriving in the city.The meeting also focused on improving sanitation infrastructure, with the House approving the purchase of 375 waste collection vehicles and 750 hand-carts to ensure regular cleaning in all wards.

The procurement includes 150 e-rickshaw waste vehicles, 150 closed tippers, 75 open tippers, two super sucker machines and three mini poclains. The decision followed an acute shortage of equipment after the district transport office, Patna, declared 152 of the corporation’s 158 old vehicles as scrap around 10 months ago.In another major decision, the corporation approved development works worth Rs 1 crore in each councillor’s ward.

It also cleared a penalty waiver under the One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme for taxpayers who clear their dues in a lump sum. Councillors suggested that the PMC should launch an extensive awareness campaign to ensure residents were informed about the tax relief.On the proposed advertising policy for 2025, the House decided to convene a separate special meeting after members strongly objected to the manner in which the proposal was placed.

Councillors said copies of the proposal and its annexures were not provided, arguing that such an important policy could not be approved without detailed scrutiny.A similar debate took place over the proposal to increase taxes on commercial properties. Former deputy mayor Vinay Kumar Pappu formally recorded his dissent, saying the hike would adversely affect small shopkeepers and middle-class traders already burdened by inflation.

Despite the objection, the proposal was passed with majority support. Members also opposed the move to involve sanitation supervisors in tax collection, warning that it could negatively impact cleaning services.The House also cleared multiple water-related infrastructure projects, including the installation of around 14 high-yield tube wells in wards such as Congress Maidan, Sheikhpura and Machhua Toli, with each project estimated to cost between Rs 1.33 crore and Rs 1.36 crore. Proposals under the “Har Ghar Nal Jal” scheme for Ward 3, renovation of a laundry ghat in Ward 29, and pipeline extensions in Ward 59 were also approved.In addition, the corporation sanctioned a proposal to install 100 water ATMs using CSR funds from HUDCO, a move aimed at improving access to clean drinking water across the city.