Growth, Urbanisation and Rural–Urban Linkages in Bihar

Aims & Objectives: The study explored the overall pattern of urbanization and rural–urban linkages in Bihar using both primary and secondary data. The study aimed at informing planners to design an effective urban development strategy and to map out future priorities and possibilities for research into urban development in the state.

Methodology: The methodology entailed engaging in both qualitative and quantitative approach in six towns – Darbhanga, Madhubani, Jhanjharpur, in North Bihar and Patna, Biharsharif and Hilsa in South Bihar. Primary data, FGDs and key informant interviews were supplemented by secondary data for addressing the research questions.

Findings:

• Industrialization and urbanization in the state of Bihar is entirely Patna-centric.
• The share of urban population in the state is disproportionately borne by Class-I towns.
• Smaller towns and semi-rural areas exhibit signs of growth in terms of construction, more transport services, connectivity, availability of consumer goods, etc. but there is little evidence of sizeable industry making significant progress.
• Evidence of transformation of villages and semi-rural areas in terms of more pucca housing, increasing urban amenities, transport services, etc. exists.

Infrastructure, which had earlier been a crucial bottleneck, has been mitigated to a great extent with improved road connectivity and electricity supply.