The pseudo “Bahar in Bihar” slogan led to the formation of this government nearing its term in 2020. Here is a list of aspirations and demands that Bihar needs on the ground to be called a basic fulfilment of development goals which remain untouched till date.
1. Environmental Protection
Flood problems in the state do not need the creation of huge dams. Better and scientific hydrological survey and then a permanent shifting of villages encroaching upon river beds is the way. There are scientific non-harmful ways to that permanently.
I don’t think that if we implement 100 or even 80% rooftop and other rainwater harvesting methods based on zero loss, we will ever face waterlogging due to rainwater atleast. Most of the cities in Bihar have waterlogging due to poor drainage. That can be changed by this step and further strengthening the drainage system.
Forest cover can be increased, illegal mining and other things should be taken care of. Rejuvenation of primitive water bodies like lakes, ponds marshlands and other natural water bodies will create water storage facilities and lessen the impact of floods massively.
2. Infrastructure Needs
They need to be pushed not just in terms of roads but in terms of airports. Top 5 cities should have domestic terminals we are lacking severely in that. Corruption free infrastructure is a must else we just saw the bridges washed away. Also planning out urban areas systematically will curb several problems alone.
3. Health
All districts must have a 1000 bed hospital atleast along with dedicated trauma and burn centres. Security for medical personnel and ultramodern treatment facilities at govt centres are a must. Bigger cities should have 2-3 hospitals each. Being a doctor, I know we are giving treatment with techniques used 20 years ago and that must be upgraded.
Patients from Bihar always have to go to Delhi or Mumbai for treatment particularly for diseases like cancer. High-end investigation and treatment facilities should be present at all major city centres for these rare diseases too because we have a huge population to care about.
Primary and community health centres should be upgraded to handle basic trauma snake bite poisoning minor burns all types of uncomplicated surgeries. Recruitment on all posts is of utmost importance. There are 50% vacancies at every medical centre.
Atleast 10 cities should have super speciality centres and critical care centres. Increase in ug and pg medical seats will automatically serve the purpose if all districts have a medical college.
The government today focuses only on Patna Medical College. It has plans to make it a 5000-bed hospital. Such ideas are insane. Instead, if they create medical colleges with post-graduate departments in all districts, then this centralized idea won’t be needed. Everything should not be Patna centred just for taking media attention.
4. Waste Management
We don’t have a waste management plan. Open unhygienic dumping is done in every city of Bihar. Its time to move towards waste segregation and composting etc. It’s profitable, economically viable and environmentally sustainable at the same time. Medical waste should be treated properly as per guidelines which are not followed in any of the hospitals I know.
5. Education
We should move towards shifting the state curriculum at par with the CBSE. Atleast its time to do away with the old structure of state boards and a total revamp is needed. The government has opened some universities but they are functioning very poorly. Compulsory NAAC accreditation should be mandatory for all govt universities and colleges. Again vacancies should be filled up at all levels.
6. Sports
Needless to say, we are in negative in this subject. District level sports academies should be created with participation from schools both govt and private. Not just cricket, various other sports can be promoted at the grassroot level in this manner which includes low budget sports with low-cost instruments.
7. Heritage Conservation
The most ignored part of our state should be dealt with scientifically. The government bulldozes heritage structures without batting an eye. This should stop.
8. Industrialisation
The government should focus on MSME more than big industries. Agor Textiles and local art-based industry can have huge benefits as they have international demands. The government should promote an art-based local economy like Rajasthan has promoted its dance pottery toys textiles and other local arts.
9. Transport
The government has left the onus of transportation on the public and we have huge traffic problems. The government fails to better city bus services every time. They should focus on getting trams in towns which are cheap and easier to set up than huge metro railways. Atleast 10 cities can run trams on selected routes profitably. They would be reliable cheap unique and permanent, so they won’t dissolve like bus services. Electric vehicle parts manufacturers should be given huge subsidies to set up factories and boost sales. It’s eco friendly as well.