In urban heat's shadow, Bihar bets on smarter & greener cities

Time of India

a day ago

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Patna: As Indian cities battle the twin threats of fast-paced urbanisation and intensifying climate extremes, a new wave of hope comes in the form of the
Smart Cities Mission
– a govt initiative that seeks to reimagine the way cities function, breathe and survive.
In Bihar, where urban centres like Patna are wilting under rising temperatures, shrinking green cover and crumbling infrastructure, the mission promises more than sleek roads and smart lights. It aims to build resilience, to make cities not just efficient, but liveable in an age of growing environmental uncertainty.
Launched on June 25, 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Smart Cities Mission seeks to transform 100 Indian cities through sustainable, inclusive and technology-driven development.
Among its core objectives is climate resilience, ensuring that cities can withstand and adapt to the growing threats of global warming, urban flooding and pollution.
Bihar has four cities under the Smart Cities umbrella – Patna, Bhagalpur, Biharsharif and Muzaffarpur. Of these, Patna is leading the charge with an estimated project outlay of over Rs 2,776 crore. And according to officials, change is already taking root.
Mohammed Shamshad, chief executive officer of Patna Smart City Limited (PSCL), said the area-based development (ABD) model adopted under the scheme has enabled targeted interventions. "Several initiatives like development of new parks, green corridors and the integration of green elements into urban infrastructure have been taken up at different places, especially below the flyovers and on riverfronts. Besides, PSCL is actively developing walking paths, jogging tracks, playgrounds and exercise stations," he said.
With support from the Patna Municipal Corporation, PSCL is building green corridors along roads and waterways to link different parts of the city and enhance biodiversity. "These strategies would help mitigate the urban heat island effect and improve air quality," Shamshad added.
The city's smart transformation also includes efforts to improve air quality through intelligent solid waste management, solar rooftops on government buildings, the introduction of e-buses, construction of e-toilets, and green belt development across the city.
Shamshad said the smart city projects are on track to be completed by the end of the year. "By that time, hopefully, we would be able to create a greener, healthier, and more sustainable urban environment for the residents of Patna," he added.
But infrastructure alone is not enough. Experts argue that resilience also lies in rethinking how cities are designed and inhabited.
Sanjiv Kumar Sinha, a faculty member at NIT Patna, highlighted the importance of future-proof infrastructure.
"Cities that focus on connected and coordinated infrastructure enjoy higher productivity, greater social inclusion, and more resilient economies. Other benefits include cleaner air, quieter environments, and safer streets, with lower greenhouse gas emissions," he said.
Yet true transformation requires citizen participation. Uday Kant Mishra, vice-chairman of the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, stressed the need for a broader climate-conscious mindset.
"Apart from the smart city project initiatives, the people of cities like Patna would have to come forward in creating a climate-responsive system by allowing enough space for ventilation and promoting urban forestry," he said.
He advocated the adoption of the Akira Miyawaki technique – a Japanese method for growing dense, native forests quickly – as a model for reviving urban green cover. "Terrace gardens should be developed atop high-rise buildings which can provide insulation.
Rainwater harvesting structures should also be developed at all available spaces to reduce water shortage in the city," he added.
Ashmita Gupta, member secretary of the Asian Development Research Institute, believes planning is key. "A concrete plan is needed to overcome the challenges posed by climate change and urbanisation. Appropriate spots for implementing the modern schemes of urban forestry in the city should be identified through satellite imagery, and all attempts should be made to enhance the city's green cover," she said.
She further urged the adoption of sustainable development practices, such as rainwater harvesting, green buildings, cultivation of medicinal plants, and increased use of renewable energy like solar power.