R-Block flyover delay
3 min read
Patna: The construction of the much-delayed R-Block flyover is likely to be completed by 2019-end, missing the deadline after mid-construction changes in design.
The delay has been annoying commuters with work moving at a tardy pace to fill the gap between Bhikhari Thakur (Yarpur) overbridge and Mithapur flyover.
The construction work on the project began in April 2016 involving a cost of Rs 166.152 crore was originally scheduled to be completed by November 11, 2018. The flyover is a part of the Bihar government’s three-tier plan to ease traffic in Patna – the Mithapur-Karbigahiya overbridge, Station Road flyover, the under-construction elevated stretch (R-Block flyover) would connect commuters with above two parallel overbridges and would facilitate commuters going towards Exhibition Road, Karbigahiya, Kankerbagh and Mithapur bus stand bypassing the traffic chaos at R-Block junction with the elevated stretch underlying the Nitish government’s bid of flamboyant transformation of urban connectivity infrastructure in Patna.
Road construction minister Nand Kishore Yadav admitted to the delay and said changes in design were responsible. “Due to changes in the initial design of the flyover that were faulty, construction came to a standstill. However we hope the project would be completed by the end of 2019.”
The route of the 1.27km flyover would start from Shaheed Veer Kunwar Singh Azadi Park near Patna GPO and end at Bhikhari Thakur (Yarpur) overbridge near Bihar Legislative Assembly passing the stretch of Hardinge Road, BSNL office via R-Block Junction and end near Vidhan Sabha. The R-Block flyover would fill the gap between two existing overbridges – Bhikhari Thakur (Yarpur) overbridge and Karbigahiya flyover and would connect Beer Chand Patel Marg by its western flank, Mithapur flyover with its northern arm and Bhikhari Thakur overbridge with its southern flank.
According to officials, till May 2018, 34.5 per cent of progress was made in connection with the construction of a 1,270m three-lane elevated stretch.
A senior official said: “The construction of the western and southern lanes would be completed by June 2019 while the northern lane of the flyover joining the Mithapur-Karbigahiya flyover would be completed by December 2019. The changes in design were made to keep it in tune with the future requirement of commuters and thus work stopped from April to October 2017.”
Once completed, the flyover will benefit commuters of Vidhan Sabha, Secretariat, Karbigahiya, Beer Chand Patel Path, Bailey Road via Income Tax roundabout. They would be benefited as the flyover is expected to ease the traffic gridlocks at R-Block roundabout and provide less time by connecting them with Mithapur, Station Road and Exhibition Road flyovers. It will also help AIIMS patients by linking them from Exhibition Road overbridge and Station Road flyover.
The flyover’s central superstructure is located at R-Block Roundabout. It is one of the busiest roundabouts after Dakbunglow and Station Road, connecting commuters with Station Road via GPO in the north, Beer Chand Patel Marg eastwards, and Vidhan Sabha and Secretariat building from south via Hardinge Road.
Umesh Kumar from Anisabad said: “The flyovers would reduce the traffic snarls. It will serve long-distance commuters who want to connect with the elevated stretch of Station Road, Chirayatand and Exhibition Road overbridge.”
Shankar Narayan, a clerk at the Secretariat, who lives at Ashok Rajpath, said: “The bridge will facilitate commuters coming towards Gandhi Maidan though its delayed completion make us face traffic snarls of Station Road and R-Block for the coming year too.”
A senior official of the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Ltd told The Telegraph on Thursday that the proposals of beautification of the site around the R-Block roundabout would be considered, affirming with the possibility of adding new features.
Courtesy: The Telegraph
