Bihar Deputy CM Sinha Introduces Digital Oversight for Urban Development Projects
In a significant move to enhance efficiency and accountability, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha has announced new measures for monitoring urban development projects in Bihar. Chairing a high-level meeting with officials from the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (Buidco) in Patna on Tuesday, Sinha emphasized the need for timely completion while maintaining high standards of quality and transparency.
Live Video Monitoring to Replace Physical Inspections
Sinha declared that all ongoing and completed schemes under Buidco will now be monitored live through video calls directly from offices. This initiative aims to eliminate the traditional practice of physical inspections, which often allowed room for manipulation or negligence. "Officials will sit at their desks and review actual site progress in real time, ensuring no excuse can hide even minor slippage," he stated. This digital approach is expected to provide a more accurate and immediate assessment of project statuses.
Formation of Flying Squads for Surprise Checks
To further strengthen monitoring efforts, two special flying squad teams will be established at the department level. These teams will conduct surprise checks across the state, with a primary focus on the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Urban Development Scheme. Sinha explained, "Their job is to ensure clean and honest execution, maintain top-quality work, and remove any chance of complaints." This measure is designed to deter corruption and ensure adherence to project specifications.
Progress on Namami Gange Programme and Staff Management
During the meeting, Buidco Managing Director Animesh Kumar Parashar provided updates on key projects, with special attention given to the Namami Gange programme. Out of 39 approved sewage treatment plants (STPs), 21 are already completed, 13 are under construction, and the remaining six are scheduled for completion before the 2026 monsoon. For the completed plants, experts are continuously monitoring progress through geo-tagged photos and live video links.
Sinha stressed that agencies operating these plants must share comprehensive staff details, including names, posts, qualifications, and phone numbers, to facilitate easy checks on attendance and performance. Additionally, he proposed addressing the shortage of engineers in Buidco by borrowing staff from the road construction and rural works departments if necessary.
Enhanced Accountability Through District-Wise Lists
As the minister of the urban development and housing department, Sinha also demanded district-wise lists of every completed and ongoing scheme. This information will enable swift and targeted field checks by flying squads and senior officers, ensuring that projects are executed as planned without delays or deviations.
These initiatives reflect the Bihar government's commitment to improving urban infrastructure through innovative and transparent practices, aiming to boost public trust and project outcomes.
