Patna: The state govt has begun the process of a major reorganisation of urban local bodies, proposing new municipalities, upgrades to existing civic bodies, expansion of municipal limits, and the merger of adjoining urban areas after the 2027 Census.Urban development and housing minister Nitish Mishra said on Tuesday that the department has written to all district magistrates, asking them to submit proposals related to the reorganisation, upgrade and expansion of urban local bodies. The proposals will be examined after the Census exercise, scheduled to conclude on March 31, 2027, following the prescribed legal procedures.According to the minister, the state govt will invite proposals for the formation of new urban local bodies, the merger of two or more adjoining municipalities into a single municipal area, the inclusion of adjoining rural areas within existing municipal limits and the upgrade of existing civic bodies. Seeking proposals in advance will help expedite the legal and administrative process once the Census is completed, he added.Mishra said rapid urbanisation has significantly changed the character of several towns in Bihar. “In many cases, adjoining municipalities have developed similar infrastructure, urban characteristics and civic amenities, making their integration necessary for better governance, efficient urban planning and improved delivery of public services,” the minister said.The govt is also considering upgrading several nagar panchayats into nagar parishads and promoting larger nagar parishads to municipal corporations, subject to statutory provisions and eligibility criteria. Similarly, municipal boundaries may be expanded in areas where urban growth has extended beyond the existing limits.The minister said the exercise is aimed at creating a more organised, inclusive and future-ready urban governance system. He added that the scientific restructuring of urban local bodies would strengthen administrative capacity while ensuring better infrastructure, efficient civic services and planned urban development.Mishra said the entire process would be carried out in a transparent and legally compliant manner, with public interest remaining the govt’s top priority. He also said under the leadership of chief minister Samrat Choudhary, Bihar is working towards planned and sustainable urban development in line with the state’s long-term growth objectives.
