As many 29 towns have been identified for development as engines of economic growth for benefit of urban dwellers and those living in surrounding areas, Kumar told a national conference on 'Developing Urban Economies of Bihar'.
The survey was being done in the towns under the cities business plan for structured economic development to make them self-sufficent in revenue, he said.
These towns would be developed with private investment under the DFID-sponsored urban development programme, the Minister said.
Under the long-term plant for development of towns in Bihar, a survey has been carried out by an agency, called 'Support Programme for Urban Reforms', under which 49 per cent of towns would be developed as agro-processing and trading towns, 11 per cent as educational towns and 11 per cent each as tourism-based and industrial towns respectively, he said.
Towns like Bodh Gaya and Rajgir, too, would be developed as international towns under this programme, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, DFID (India) President Sam Sharp said an investment of Rs 500 crore has been made in India for urban development, solid waste management and setting up Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in towns and cities.
He said that the British government department was carrying out urban development programme in nine towns in Bihar and 12,00 SHGs have been set up to work out the modality of Local Economic Development for them.
Sharp lauded the state government for carrying out reforms in governance at various levels and said that these measures would help build basic infrastructure in the towns through private investment.
