This story is from January 14, 2020

Lack of funds delays underpass, foot overbridge projects in Patna

The long-pending demand of foot overbridges and underpasses across the city for pedestrian crossing is not likely to be fulfilled soon as the projects have been delayed due to several reasons.
Lack of funds delays underpass, foot overbridge projects in Patna
Representative image
PATNA: The long-pending demand of foot overbridges and underpasses across the city for pedestrian crossing is not likely to be fulfilled soon as the projects have been delayed due to several reasons.
Tenders for foot overbridges at Rupaspur, Rajendra Nagar and in front of Patna zoo and two underpass escalators near Samrat Ashoka Convention Centre were floated by Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL) and Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL) last year to ease traffic and pedestrian movement across the busy roads.
However, due to delay in commencement of work, the projects will take another one year.
BSRDCL managing director Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said the construction work on FoBs will commence in four-five months. “Due to lack of budget last year, the construction work got delayed. However, the expenditure on the FoBs has been included in 2020 Budget,” he said.
Agarwal said work on two foot overbridges to be constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) at Anisabad and Mithapur-New Bypass Road will commence this year.
Principal secretary of road construction department (RCD), Amrit Lal Meena, said the foot overbridges and underpasses in the state capital will be constructed soon. “Several measures are being taken in a bid to ensure road safety in the city. The department will soon start construction at all proposed locations,” he said.
An official said tenders for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) of FoB at Rupaspur near the Jagdeo Path-Sheikhpura Mor flyover and another near Rajendra Nagar overbridge were floated last year. “The DPR will be finalized this week. Construction work on both the FoBs will commence simultaneously in a couple of months,” he said.

Meanwhile, pedestrians are often seen facing a tough time while crossing the road at the culmination point of Jagdeo Path-Sheikhpura Mor flyover and Rajendra Nagar overbridge. “The Jagdeo-Path Sheikhpura Mor flyover is one of the busiest flyovers in the city. There’s non-stop vehicular movement on the flyover and underneath it throughout the day and it becomes really difficult to cross the road,” said Simran Singh, who was waiting to cross Bailey Road near Jagdeo Path.
Pedestrians also find it difficult to cross Bailey Road near gate number I of Patna zoo and the Gandhi Maidan-Danapur Road near Samrat Ashok International Convention Centre and SK Memorial Hall where government and non-government events are organized regularly. Two underpass escalators near the convention centre were scheduled to be constructed by March this year. “The road in front of Bapu Sabhagar is dangerous for pedestrians to cross,” said Vikas Kumar, a resident of Ashok Rajpath.
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