Pataliputra Greenfield Satellite Township: A 20-Year Mega Master Plan and the Future of Patna
To control the pressure of urban expansion and a rapidly growing population in Bihar's capital, Patna, the state government has formulated the blueprint for the Pataliputra Greenfield Satellite Township project. The Urban Development and Housing Department has officially notified the Master Plan-2047 and its layout for this ambitious scheme. The township will be developed in a phased manner over the next 20 years, with the primary objective of providing world-class civic amenities to an estimated population of approximately 6.6 million (66 lakh) by the year 2047.
Phased Planned Development Across 20 Years
Rather than implementing this massive township scheme all at once, the government has divided it into three phases to ensure smooth financial management and the step-by-step creation of infrastructure:
First Phase (Initial 5 Years): The primary focus of this initial phase will be large-scale land acquisition, the construction of the 90-meter-wide main roads considered to be the spine of the township, a robust water supply network (drinking water), sewage treatment plants, uninterrupted power supply, and the development of a modern transit hub.
Second and Third Phases: Residential, commercial, and industrial areas will be expanded over the following decade and a half, keeping pace with increasing population pressures and demands.
Master Plan-2047 and Land Use Scope
This township is primarily being established across a vast expanse of land in areas adjacent to Patna, such as Punpun, Naubatpur, Sampatchak, Phulwari Sharif, Masaurhi, and Daniawan. Approximately 81,730 acres (special area) of land have been earmarked for this project. The detailed land-use distribution under the master plan has been designated as follows:
Residential Area: Approximately 35.18% of the land is reserved for residential settlements.
Green Belt and Environment: Roughly 4.42% is kept safe as a green belt, and about 21.57% is reserved for urban agriculture to maintain environmental balance.
Transportation and Communication: 7.64% of the land is allocated for roads and transit networks.
Commercial and Industrial Areas: Around 3.98% of land is allotted for commercial activities and 5.70% for industries.
Transportation and Connectivity: 90-Meter-Wide Roads and Rapid Rail
A well-planned city's backbone is its excellent connectivity. To ensure smooth traffic flow within the Pataliputra Satellite Township, roads are being constructed on a massive scale:
A 90-meter-wide main road will pass directly through the middle of the township, connecting the north-south and east-west directions.
Connecting to this will be a ring road 60 meters wide. Additionally, State Highway-1 (SH-1), National Highway-31 (NH-31), and other major highways are being linked with a standard width of 60 meters.
Special corridors are also planned for the Patna-Gaya Rapid Rail Corridor and a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) to accelerate traffic movement in the region.
Water Management and the 'Sponge City' Concept
To tackle future issues of waterlogging or urban flooding, this township is being developed on the 'Sponge City' model. Natural water bodies and drainage flows will remain undisturbed.
Massive Reservoir: A massive reservoir with a capacity of 25 billion liters is proposed in the area between the Punpun and Dardha rivers. During emergencies or the summer season, this reservoir will be capable of fulfilling the water needs of a 6.6 million population for a month. Systems will also be integrated to route water from the Ganga River into it.
Social Infrastructure: Education and Health
High-quality social amenities have been ensured proportional to the estimated population of the settlement:
Education: Provisions include a nursery/pre-primary school for every 2,500 people, a primary school for 5,000, a senior secondary school for 7,500, a college for a population of 125,000, and a full-fledged university for a population of 1 million.
Health: Blueprints have been prepared for a Primary Health Centre (PHC) for every 30,000 people, a nursing home for up to 100,000 people, and a large multi-specialty hospital for every 250,000 people.
Removal of Restrictions on Land Purchase and Sale
Alongside the release of the master plan draft by the government, a comforting measure has been extended to the landowners and general citizens of this region. The restrictions previously placed on the purchase, sale, and transfer of land in this special area have now been lifted with immediate effect. People can now freely trade their land. Furthermore, the government has invited objections and suggestions from the general public, farmers, and stakeholders within the next 60 days on this draft, following which it will be finalized.
