Farmers' Statewide Protest Targets Bihar's 11 Satellite Township Plan

Protest Announcement and Demands

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha announced a protest on July 22, with the organization calling for demonstrations and effigy burning over the township proposals. From the streets of Patna to district headquarters, farmers are prepared to raise their voices.

Farmer leaders argued that the government should prioritize developing smart villages, strengthening agriculture and promoting agro-based industries rather than establishing new satellite townships, alleging that the proposed projects would result in the acquisition or pooling of agricultural land and claiming the policy favoured corporate interests at the expense of farmers.

The Morcha warned that if the government does not withdraw its policy of 'forced' acquisition, they will launch an indefinite agitation.

The Satellite Townships Project

The Bihar government is set to develop its largest greenfield satellite township near the state capital, with the proposed Pataliputra Township spanning more than 81,000 acres and featuring major infrastructure projects including a Sports City and a Fintech hub. Authorities said the initiative aims to create new urban hubs equipped with modern amenities, generate employment and support long-term economic growth while reducing congestion in existing cities.

Zonal and master plans for these townships are already in preparation, with core and special development zones identified. According to preliminary planning proposals: Pataliputra (Patna): Logistics hub, education and sports city; Hariharnathpuram (Sonepur): Aero City and mythological tourism centre; Magadh (Gaya): Religious, cultural and tourism hub; Mithila (Darbhanga): Medical hub and cultural heritage centre; Tirhut (Muzaffarpur): Industrial and commercial hub; Sitapuram (Sitamarhi): Religious and cultural tourism centre; Kosi (Saharsa): Commercial centre; Purnia (Purnia): Medical and economic activity hub; Anga (Munger): Heritage and commercial centre; Vikramshila (Bhagalpur): Education and cultural hub.

Land Acquisition and Land-Pooling Mechanism

The development of 11 proposed satellite townships in Bihar will be carried out through land-pooling under the Town Planning Scheme (TPS). The government will return 55 percent of the developed land to farmers. For those not opting for land pooling, the government will offer negotiated purchases at market rates in addition to Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), aimed at providing over five times the land value.

About 22 percent of the land will be earmarked for connectivity, 5 percent for green spaces and public utilities, 3 percent for economically weaker sections, and 15 percent for infrastructure, including STP, water plants and electric grids.

Officials have imposed a ban on the sale and purchase of land within the identified zones, along with a prohibition on new construction activity. The restrictions are intended to prevent speculative transactions and unregulated development as the project moves into its planning phase.

Local Farmer Organization Opposition

The Bhoomi Bachao Sangharsh Samiti submitted an 11-point memorandum to Urban Development Minister Nitish Mishra, raising objections to the proposed Sitapuram Township in Sitamarhi. Committee representatives argued that Sitamarhi, where agriculture is the primary source of livelihood and land resources are limited, would benefit more from agriculture-based industries, improved irrigation and river water management than from an urban township. They opposed the proposed land pooling and lottery system for landowners and claimed that the township could affect ponds, water bodies and agricultural land in the area surrounding the Riga Sugar Mill.

Government Pressure and Project Status

The government feels pressure to complete these 12 townships on time under the 'Bihar Vikas Mission,' while the project's pace has stalled due to the growing public outcry. According to administrative sources, if the project is further delayed, costs will rise, and the confidence of private investors could waver.

On July 22, the Bihar government proposed the creation of the Bihar Urban Development Authority (BUDA) to drive planned urban expansion through greenfield satellite townships. The proposed legislation was introduced in the Bihar Assembly on the opening day of the Monsoon Session.