Bihar to Digitally Map Roads for Improved Infrastructure Management

Bihar is set to digitize its road infrastructure, with the Urban Development and Housing Department spearheading a project to create a comprehensive digital record of roads across urban areas. All municipal bodies are required to submit detailed road mapping reports by August 20, 2025. A key feature of this project is the color-coding of roads based on their constructing agency, allowing for easier identification and more effective urban planning. National highways will be colored red, state highways green, Rural Works Department roads black, municipal roads yellow, District Council roads blue-pink, Local Area Engineering Organization roads blue, and other departmental roads purple. This system will help in transparent road network management. The municipal bodies are expected to submit data on road length, width, construction date, estimated cost, and current status in a specified format. This digitized information will streamline road upkeep and inform future urban development initiatives. The department has issued directives to all Chief Engineers and Superintending Engineers to ensure timely implementation. This move coincides with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s recent digital interaction with over 1.6 million beneficiaries of the ‘Chief Minister Electricity Consumer Assistance Scheme’. This scheme provides 125 units of free electricity to 18.9 million households, leading to monthly savings of ₹700 for urban and ₹500 for rural families. This project marks a significant step toward organizing Bihar’s urban road infrastructure. The use of color-coded mapping and digital records will improve road management, facilitate maintenance, and enhance planning for new projects, helping to build a more digital and developed Bihar.