Civic amenities might improve and defaulter companies might face the stick if Adesh Titarmare, the recently appointed commissioner of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC), can keep his pledge.

Titarmare has vowed to improve the financial condition of the cash-strapped civic body and sanitation measures across the city. “My priorities are to increase the revenue of the corporation and improve the sanitation system. I want to make Patna clean and beautiful. Increase in revenue would allow us to give quality municipal services to the residents,” he said.

Last Thursday, the PMC standing committee adopted new regulations on mobile towers and hoardings, clearing the path for Titarmare to implement his ideas. The PMC, which estimates around 1,000 mobile towers and even more hoardings in the state capital, however, claims that revenue generation from both sources has been dismal.

The PMC can mop up Rs 15 crore a year by way of revenue from the mobile towers. Cellphone service providers have not been paying the amount for five years. Proper implementation of the new PMC regulations can yield Rs 2.5 crore from the 1,000-plus hoardings in the municipal area. Most of the hoardings are illegal. “The new commissioner is firm on collection of new registration charges against mobile towers. Instructions have been given to register all unregistered mobile towers across the city within a month and start revenue collection immediately,” a senior PMC official said.

Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCo) has been entrusted with the task to look after the solid waste management. But Titarmare said the PMC would efficiently carry it out till BUIDCo takes up the task. “BUIDCo might take some time to start the solid waste management work in a full-fledged manner. Till then, we would take steps to ensure a spick-and-span city,” he said.

Shopping complexes, theatres and other commercial ventures would come up on unused plots of more than 30 acres at prime locations, which the PMC board approved in 2012. Sources said Titarmare would need to get around 8,000 streetlights installed and damaged water supply pipelines repaired.

A source added that a drive would begin to expand the jurisdiction of holding tax. “Recent estimates put the number of holdings at around 2.5 lakh, which do not fall under the holding tax ambit.

civic PILL

Mop up revenue from mobile towers, hoardings and holding tax collection

Improve sanitation

Development of commercial complexes on PMC plots near Beur Jail,Maurya Lok Complex, Patna City and Arya Kumar Road

Installation of 8000 streetlights

Repair of leaks in damaged water supply lines