In this guide
In September 2019, after days of extremely heavy rain, large parts of Patna — including the neighbourhood where the state's deputy chief minister lived — lay under chest-deep water for days. The images revealed a problem larger than a single flood: Bihar's cities have grown without the drainage, sanitation and planning they need. Understanding urbanisation in Bihar is essential to understanding its development challenge.
How urban is Bihar?
| Indicator | Bihar | India |
|---|---|---|
| Urban share of population (2011) | About 11.3% | About 31.2% |
| Rank | Among the lowest in India (only Himachal Pradesh was lower among major states) | — |
The urban share rose only slightly between 2001 and 2011.
Why Bihar urbanised slowly
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Limited industrialisation | Few factories to draw people to towns — especially after 2000 |
| Agrarian economy | Most people depend on agriculture |
| Migration out of the state | Rural Biharis often migrate to cities outside Bihar rather than to Bihar's own towns |
| Historical factors | Colonial neglect; Calcutta as the regional metropolis |
| Classification | Many large villages have urban characteristics but are not classified as towns |
| Weak urban governance | Towns lacked investment and services to attract people |
Patna and other major towns
- Patna — the capital and by far the largest city, with an urban agglomeration of about 2 million people in 2011. A centre of administration, education, health care, trade and services.
- Other important towns: Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Purnia, Bihar Sharif, Ara, Begusarai, Katihar, Munger, Chhapra.
| Town | Known for |
|---|---|
| Gaya | Pilgrimage (Hindu and Buddhist), administration |
| Bhagalpur | Silk; Vikramshila; university |
| Muzaffarpur | Litchi; trade; north Bihar's commercial hub |
| Darbhanga | Mithila culture; medical college; airport |
| Purnia | Seemanchal's commercial centre |
| Begusarai | Barauni refinery and industry |
Urban local bodies
Bihar's towns are governed by Nagar Nigam (municipal corporations), Nagar Parishad (municipal councils) and Nagar Panchayat (for transitional areas), under the Bihar Municipal Act, 2007. The state expanded the number of urban local bodies significantly in recent years by upgrading and creating new ones, which raised the officially urban population.
See our guide to urban local bodies in Bihar.
Urban challenges
| Challenge | Examples |
|---|---|
| Waterlogging and drainage | Patna 2019; flat terrain; clogged drains; encroached ponds |
| Sanitation and waste | Sewage into the Ganga; solid waste management |
| Housing | Slums; unplanned colonies |
| Air pollution | Patna, Muzaffarpur and Gaya have at times recorded very poor air quality in winter |
| Traffic | Congestion, especially in Patna |
| Planning | Master plans outdated or not implemented |
| Finances | Weak own revenue of municipal bodies |
| Flood risk | Towns on riverbanks |
Urban programmes
| Programme | Bihar cities |
|---|---|
| Smart Cities Mission | Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Bihar Sharif |
| AMRUT | Water supply, sewerage, parks in many towns |
| Namami Gange | Sewage treatment plants in Ganga towns (Patna, Bhagalpur, Munger, Begusarai) |
| Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) | Sanitation and waste |
| PMAY (Urban) | Housing |
| Patna Metro | Mass transit |
Why urbanisation matters for Bihar
- Cities generate non-farm jobs — the jobs Bihar needs to reduce migration.
- They support services: education, health, finance.
- Well-planned small and medium towns can link farmers to markets (agro-processing, storage).
- Urban agglomeration attracts investment.
Practice
Prelims-style:
- What was Bihar's urban population share in Census 2011?
- Which Bihar cities are part of the Smart Cities Mission?
- Under which Act are Bihar's municipalities governed?
- What happened in Patna in September 2019?
Mains-style:
- "Bihar's low urbanisation is both a cause and a consequence of its underdevelopment." Discuss.
- Suggest measures to make Patna a resilient and liveable city.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Bihar Public Service Commission website .
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