CM reviews key schemes, stresses quality infra work

Patna: CM Samrat Choudhary on Monday directed officials to ensure that all solar lights installed under the ‘Mukhyamantri Gramin Solar Street Light Yojana’ remain fully functional, stressing the need for a monitoring system to regularly verify whether the lights are working properly.During a review meeting of the urban development and housing, panchayati raj, and tourism departments here, he asked officials to maintain speed and transparency in implementation of schemes. He also instructed panchayati raj officials to ensure installation of CCTV cameras in every Panchayat Bhawan.Reviewing the urban development and housing department, the CM asked officials to accelerate work on the Patna Metro Rail project and complete ongoing works within the stipulated time. He said the metro corridor from Malahi Pakdi to Rajendra Nagar Terminal should be completed as soon as possible, and work up to Patna Junction should also be finished at the earliest.He said early interconnection of Patna Metro Rail between ISBT, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, and Patna Junction would significantly improve commuting convenience for residents.Samrat also directed that crematoriums, or Moksha Dhams, should be constructed at the same places where cremations have traditionally taken place over the years.Emphasising urban infrastructure, he said schemes related to urban development must be completed quickly, with special focus on sanitation and water supply. He instructed that all infrastructure projects should be durable and of good quality. He also asked officials to speed up housing delivery to remaining beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) so that homeless families in towns and cities can receive ‘pucca’ houses without delay.On solid waste management, the CM said the PPP model should be adopted to improve waste handling and utilisation. He also directed that sewage treatment plants be kept fully functional and that construction of STPs along the banks of the Ganga river be expedited. Expansion of the sewerage network was also stressed.During the meeting, urban development and housing department principal secretary Vinay Kumar briefed the CM on major schemes, city master plans, the Regional Rapid Transit System, Patna Metro, advertisement regulations, and other departmental works. He also presented updates on centrally sponsored schemes such as AMRUT, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), and the Swachh Bharat Mission, along with departmental initiatives related to sanitation, waste management, CCTV installation in municipal bodies, solar lighting, and drainage and sewerage.Earlier, panchayati raj department additional secretary Aditya Prakash informed the CM about departmental works and proposed schemes. Gaya DM Shashank Shubhankar also presented plans for the comprehensive development of the Mahabodhi Temple Corridor in Bodh Gaya and the Vishnupad Temple Corridor in Gaya.