To help the new government provide better services, The Telegraph presents a wish list of what the administration can do to improve Bihar’s lot. The suggestions, if followed, can transform the state from a power purchaser to a power producer, end the woes of many who risk their lives daily travelling from Raghopur to Patna by boat, bring in five-star hotels, improve rural healthcare, stop students from leaving the state for higher education...

FOR SECTORS 

Power
It’s time to pay proper attention to the energy sector. TT wishes that the 660x3MW super thermal power plant being built at Nabinagar in Aurangabad district be completed in two years. It will pave the way for addition of three more proposed units of 660MW each there, and the entire project could be complete by 2019-20. The Nabinagar plant is one that could transform Bihar from a power purchaser state to a power producer state. Expansion and renovation of power plants at Barauni, Muzaffarpur, Kahalgaon and other places could take place simultaneously. The must make concerted efforts to adhere to Bihar Policy for Promotion of New and Renewable Energy Sources 2011 to expand and popularise bagasse, biomass, water, solar, wind and municipal solid waste -based power plants.
The need of the hour is to ensure clean energy as well. Solar energy should be made mandatory in all schools, colleges and government offices

Road construction
The proposed six-lane bridge from Kachchi Dargah to Bidupur needs to be completed in the next five years, as Gandhi Setu — the only bridge connecting Patna with north Bihar now — is in a dilapidated condition. Very often vehicles are found crawling on the Setu because of ongoing repair work on the western part of 44th span but the new bridge would help many residents, who risk their lives every day, travelling from Raghopur to Patna by boat

Hospitality 
In 2012, the industries department had announced that the Taj Group was going to set up a five-star hotel in Patna for Rs 92 crore but the dream never became a reality. It is high time the department develops a proactive approach to investment proposals, especially those coming from big players in the market. The state government should get a land bank ready in Patna so that big-ticket investments knocking on the state’s doors do not return disappointed. There is an immediate need to get the single window system properly activated in Bihar 

Health 
Telemedicine is the latest buzzword in the healthcare industry. In the next five years, it would be good to health facilities connected through telemedicine. If primary health centres are connected with district and medical college hospitals, rural people need not visit district and medical college hospitals for basic ailments. Specialists in super-speciality hospitals, who are associated with telemedicine, can check patients at village-based health facilities with this technology and diagnose diseases early 

Education 
There is a need for more colleges to come up under private universities so that students do not have to go outside the state to pursue higher education. Two years ago, the Assembly passed the Private University Bill, opening gates for private educational institution to set up campuses in Bihar. But, even after over two years, only Amity Global University has come to set up campuses in Bihta. The reason behind poor response is again land. The government should come forward and acquire land for private universities. It will help check students from moving out of Bihar to pursue higher education, especially medical and engineering studies, and also ensure economic prosperity by checking flow of money (students’ fees) from Bihar to other states

FOR DEPARTMENTS 
Urban development and housing 
TT Wish: Decentralisation of urbanisation or new urban hubs
Why: Patna continues to be the only urban centre in Bihar that qualifies to be called a city. Gaya, Bhagalpur and Muzaffarpur are yet to see mushrooming of high-rises or proper roads, drainage and sewage networks and advent of corporate offices. The government needs to shift its focus from Patna to create new and planned urban centres elsewhere, in the form of satellite townships. This would take some load off Patna

Transport 
TT Wish: Prohibit old and polluting vehicles and streamline city bus service
Why: The transport authority, at its meeting on July 15, 2013, had decided to stop operation of buses, tempos, autorickshaws and school buses that are over 15 years old in Patna town area. Operators were asked to replace dilapidated vehicles with new ones on the same permit within three months. However, neither did the vehicles go 
off the road nor did the authorities take any action

Building construction 
TT Wish: Construction of signature buildings in other districts
Why: To change Patna’s face, chief minister Nitish Kumar initiated a number of ambitious projects for construction of signature buildings in the city over the past 2-3 years, including Bihar Museum, International Convention Centre and Niyojan Bhavan. Now, it is time to come up with similar projects in other districts  so that it can support development  too
 
Tourism 
TT Wish: Shift from Bodhgaya-centric tourism activity 
Why: The tourism sector in Bihar has revolved around Bodhgaya because of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Though Bodhgaya’s significance cannot be challenged, it is time to diversify the tourism sector and look at places like Vaishali, the first republic of the world and the place where Buddha gave his last sermon before attaining enlightenment. Besides, there are places like Champaran in the Gandhi circuit, Patna Sahib in the Sikh circuit and the foothill of the majestic Himalayas amid the serenity of forest terrain, as one goes to Valmiki Tiger Reserve. It is time the tourism department adopts an all-round approach

Environment and forests 
TT Wish: Better parks
Why: The forests department was entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining 70-and-more parks in Patna in late 2014, but the condition of these green lungs remains unchanged. Waste material is scattered everywhere while amenities like walking tracks and benches are damaged. The forest department should take up this task and make continuous efforts to increase green cover in the state

Information technology 
TT Wish: Extension of public Wi-Fi service
Why: Patna has the longest stretch of free public Wi-Fi network, extending from NIT-on Ashok Rajpath to Saguna Mor on the western end of Bailey Road. However, the 18-km Wi-Fi stretch requires proper maintenance and operation. The Wi-Fi network’s bandwidth also needs to be increased from 20kbps to ensure smooth connectivity. It should be extended to other parts of the city and similar public facility can be launched in other towns too

Disaster management 
TT Wish: Siren system for quake
Why: Patna was jolted by back-to-back tremors following major earthquakes in Nepal on April 25 and May 12. Besides, Patna and most parts of central and south Bihar fall in high-risk zones vis-à-vis earthquakes. Still, there is no city siren system in Patna or elsewhere to alert residents and check rumours from spreading. The disaster management department should take steps in this regard
 
Cabinet coordination (civil aviation directorate) 
TT Wish: Overhaul state-owned airfields in districts
Why: There are 21 airfields in Bihar but a majority of them, including Madhubani and Saharsa, are not in operable condition. The civil aviation directorate looks after these airfields. Runways are ridden with potholes and rough patches. Boundary walls are damaged, making them unsafe for flight operation. If these airstrips were properly maintained, it could boost regional air traffic in the state

Water resources 
TT Wish: Irrigation and canals 
Why: The water resources department should come up with schemes to provide artificial irrigation to the fields during scanty rain. Emphasis should be laid on places in south Bihar that are drought-prone and the rice bowls of Rohtas, Jehanabad, Gaya, Patna, Bhojpur and Nalanda, mostly in north and central Bihar. Besides, steps should be initiated to avert damage to life and property because of frequent floods in the Kosi region
 
Youth, art and culture affairs 
TT Wish: Sports and music academy
Why: Sports has been neglected in Bihar and sportspersons keep lamenting about lack of facilities and incentives. There is a need for high-class sports academies with professional trainers and coaches from around the country. The sports academy should be funded properly and admission to it made competitive. It should ensure exhaustive and high-level training of students. A similar kind of music academy should come up for aspiring musicians