The Bihar State Housing Board (BSHB) is working on plans to redevelop its residential colonies in Bahadurpur and Lohianagar. The BSHB would reconstruct sectors 1, 2, 4 and 8 at Bahadurpur, and sectors S, T and U at Lohianagar.

The plan envisages development of internal roads, streetlights, drainage system, parks and marriage halls among other amenities.

“It was observed that the present condition of the internal roads, drainage and other amenities in BSHB’s residential colonies are not in good condition. Thus, we have asked our empanelled architects to prepare detailed architectural design, along with the project report, for the redevelopment of these colonies. Upon finalisation of the reports, along with the cost estimates, the BSHB would table the corresponding proposals for approval of its board in July to seek the necessary nod,” said a senior BSHB officer.

The architectural designs for the redevelopment of BSHB colonies is being prepared by renowned architects, including the star architect of India, Hafeez Contractor, and city-based architect Sen and Lall Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

According to sources, the corresponding construction activities are likely to be done by Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCo) — an undertaking of the state urban development department.

Six parks are proposed to be developed by the BSHB under the proposed redevelopment plan. BSHB sources said the work on erecting the boundary walls across all these parks would be completed by the end of July. Moreover, the parks, which are comparatively bigger in size, would also have marriage/community hall. For instance, a park to be developed over an area of four acres in sector 4 of Bahadurpur Colony has space earmarked for the development of community-cum-cultural centre, children’s park and parking lot. Another park to be developed over an area of 1.25 acres in the same sector has provisions for children’s park and library as well.

Residents are upbeat about the news of the redevelopment of their colonies.

“The present status of sewerage and water supply pipelines is very bad. In fact, many people are forced to drink dirty water because of broken underground sewerage and water pipelines, which are parallel to each other at a very close distance. Internal roads are mostly waterlogged either due to broken pipelines or rainwater. Moreover, there are no streetlights in any of the housing board colonies in Kankerbagh. It is good that the housing board has finally decided to redevelop these colonies,” said S.N. Ram, a resident of sector 4 of Bahadurpur Housing Board Colony.