Bokaro district administration wants the two nearby townships of Maraphari and Jaina More to be upgraded and accorded district board status to facilitate overall improvement in civic amenities.

On Tuesday, deputy commissioner Manoj Kumar sent a proposal to this effect to state urban development secretary Ajay Kumar Singh in Ranchi saying that the two towns fulfilled the population criteria required for the upgrade.

Jaina More is 14km from Bokaro steel city, while Maraphari is barely 7km away.

As of now, Bokaro district comprises Chas Municipal Corporation - it was upgraded from a municipality earlier this year and elected its first mayor last month - and Phusro municipality.

Bokaro city is a separate notified area whose civic affairs, including cleaning, water and power supply, are managed by Bokaro steel plant management.

"Once the district board proposal is cleared by the urban development ministry, it will help start several developmental projects and improve civic facilities like roads, drinking water and health care," said Kumar.

As per the DC's proposal, Maraphari and Jaina More are to have eight revenue villages each.

The eight villages of Maraphari are Ukrid, Tetulia, Satanpur, Maraphari, Ritudih, Bansgora, Hesabatu and Gorabali.

The eight villages under Jania More are Tantri, Thakurtand, Khutri, Kenduadih, Jaina More, Bandhdih, Tand Mohanpur and Tand Balidih.