A vacant PMC plot behind Mauryalok in Patna. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Feb. 16: The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) is planning to hire a private consultant, which would suggest ways to initiate commercial ventures in at least four prime plots in the state capital in collaboration with private developers.

Sources in the civic body said the options could be, most preferably, explored to start shopping malls in a public-private-partnership mode on these plots.

Mayor Afzal Imam said during yesterday’s meeting of the empowered standing committee, it was decided that PMC plots near Beur Jail, Maurya Lok Complex, Patna City and Arya Kumar Road would be used to develop swanky commercial complexes.

“These plots — measuring about over 30 acres — are lying vacant for years together. We want to use them in such a way that they the corporation can earn some revenue from them. The plots could be leased out to private developers for construction of malls. We will soon hire a consultant to prepare a detailed draft of possible commercial ventures,” he said.

According to sources, PMC holds ownership right of at least 400 acres of land in prime localities of the city. However, the land is scattered across the corporation area and a large chunk of available plots have been under the clutches of land mafia for many years.

“If the corporation manages to get the land released and uses it for residential and commercial projects according to legal provisions, it will benefit thousands of people. Besides, property prices that are rising northward will be much more affordable for many,” the mayor added.

A senior official in the government agency said the hired consultant would also be entrusted with the task to study and survey all land available with the corporation.

“Once we have a detailed map of our properties, we will in a better position to chalk out a development plan for the city and decide the ways we can use them according to the 2021 master plan. However, it will take some time,” the official added.

It has often been reported that PMC land have been misused by land mafia as a number of corporation officials, in connivance with unscrupulous developers and local leaders, have been allowing such practices. In many cases, makeshift houses, slums, illegal markets and residential colonies have sprung on PMC land.

Sheshank Shekhar Sinha, the executive officer of the new capital circle of the civic body, under whose jurisdiction most of the PMC plots fall, admitted that a consultant was being appointed to study the land available with the corporation. He, however, refused to comment on encroachment. “As long as we do not have a final report with us, I cannot say much over the issue,” he said.