In a significant move to address the persistent traffic woes of Kanpur, the construction of four new railway overbridges has been officially approved. This major infrastructure initiative aims to alleviate the daily gridlock that plagues the city's key intersections.
Project Approval and Political Backing
The projects received the green light based on proposals submitted by local representatives. Metropolitan MP Ramesh Awasthi, along with MLAs Surendra Maithani and Mahesh Trivedi, championed the need for these bridges. Following instructions from the District Magistrate, the State Bridge Corporation (Setu Nigam) has initiated the process by formally requesting detailed technical designs and comprehensive cost reports from the railways.
Locations and Massive Financial Outlay
The four overbridges will be constructed at critical traffic pain points across Kanpur. The identified locations are:
- From TatMill Chauraha to Ghantaghar Road.
- Parallel to the existing bridge near Panki Dham railway station.
- From Transport Nagar Tiraha Juhi Khalwa to Afeem Kothi.
- From Mariampur Chauraha to Fazalganj via Chawla Market, leading to Sachan Chauraha.
According to specifics sent by Setu Nigam's deputy project manager to the railways, the scale and cost of these projects are substantial:
- The Tat Mill-Ghantaghar bridge will span 820 metres at an estimated cost of Rs 19,380 lakh.
- The Panki Dham bridge, measuring 678.78 metres, is projected to cost Rs 16,445.27 lakh.
- The Juhi Khalwa bridge, 765 metres long, carries a price tag of Rs 22,595 lakh.
- The most extensive project, the Mariampur–Sachan Chauraha bridge, will be a massive 4,200 metres long with a budget of Rs 94,550 lakh.
The total estimated investment for all four overbridges exceeds Rs 153 crore.
Next Steps Towards Construction
Vijay Kumar Sen, the Chief Project Manager of the Bridge Corporation, provided an update on the procedural status. He confirmed that all proposals have been forwarded to the government. The state administration has now directed the railways to prepare and submit the necessary cost and design reports for their portion of the construction work.
Sen emphasized that the projects will receive their final administrative approval once the railway's detailed report is in hand. This step is crucial for moving from planning to the actual construction phase, marking a pivotal moment in Kanpur's urban infrastructure development.
The approval of these four overbridges represents a concrete response to the long-standing demand for better traffic management in Kanpur. Once completed, they are expected to significantly decongest the mentioned routes, saving commuters time and reducing daily travel stress. The collaboration between local legislators, the district administration, Setu Nigam, and the railways is key to turning this plan into a reality for the city's residents.
