Bihar’s first underpass escalator to come up near Gandhi Maidan

PATNA: Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL) has planned a pair of underpass escalators for pedestrians to cross over the road near Samrat Ashok International Convention Centre to and from Gandhi Maidan. These will be the first underpass escalators in the state, a BRPNNL official said.
He said the BRPNNL has initiated the bidding process for hiring a firm for the project.Funds to the tune of Rs11 crore will be spent on it and the construction of the underpass is targeted to be completed over a period of six months, he added.
“The stretch witnesses heavy traffic movement throughout the day and it becomes very difficult for pedestrians to cross the road, especially near the convention centre. Besides convention centre, SK Memorial Hall is also used frequently for organizing events by the government as well as non-government agencies,” the official said and added: “The underpass will also ensure smooth vehicular movement between Bans Ghat and Kargil Chowk.”
BRPNNL chairman Jitendra Srivastava said the bidding process is likely to be completed in a month. “Work will commence following award of contract to the selected agency,” he said.
BRPNNL sources said the underpass will be 100 metres long and 6 metres wide with a height of 3 metres. Two entrances, each of 8.5 metres, will be constructed on both ends of the underpass. Officials also allayed the fear of waterlogging in the underpass during monsoon and said proper arrangement will be made for discharge of rainwater in drains outside the underpass.
A senior BRPNNL engineer said the underpass construction will begin from October. On being asked about disruption in vehicular movement during the construction period, he said: “Construction work will be undertaken phase-wise. As per the plan, only one side of the road will be blocked for undertaking construction activities and vehicles will move on the other flank. The same process will be followed on the next flank.”
Some of the pedestrians felt happy to know about the project. “I think it is an amazing idea. The city has been witnessing a lot of good changes with the new traffic management rules and regulations. However, nothing has been done for the safety of pedestrians,” said Raju Kumar, a pedestrian, near Magadh Mahila College.
“This is an extremely good initiative. The safety of pedestrians is as important as that of commuters,” said Chanda Das of Mainpura area.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar had directed the officials concerned in April last year to ensure that all new roads in the state have provision for underpass and foot overbridge.