In a significant move to address chronic traffic woes, the Ministry of Railways has given its final nod for the construction of a major Road Over Bridge (ROB) in Bihar. The long-pending infrastructure project is set to be built between Dighwara and Ambika Bhawani Halt on the crucial Sonepur-Chhapra section.
A Solution to a Persistent Problem
The approved ROB falls under the jurisdiction of the Sonepur division of the East Central Railway (ECR). According to Saraswati Chandra, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of ECR, the primary objective is to alleviate the severe traffic congestion at the busy railway level crossing gate number 16 in the area.
Chandra highlighted the urgency, citing a traffic survey from August 2021. The data was staggering: the crossing gate recorded a traffic volume of 3,83,990 traffic vehicle units. This overwhelming number underscored the critical need for an alternative route and the immediate construction of the ROB.
Project Details and Enhanced Features
The ambitious project comes with an estimated price tag of Rs 124.78 crore. However, the railways' plan extends beyond just the overbridge. In a thoughtful addition for local residents, the project will also include the construction of a low-height subway.
This subway is specifically designed to facilitate the safe and convenient movement of pedestrians, ensuring that the new infrastructure benefits all sections of the community and leads to smoother overall connectivity.
Expected Impact and Local Reaction
Upon completion, the new ROB will offer a direct link to National Highway 31A, dramatically improving access to the Patna-Chhapra highway. The CPRO outlined the multifaceted benefits, stating that the bridge is expected to reduce travel time, enhance road safety, and boost economic activities in the surrounding region.
The railway ministry's decision has been met with widespread approval from local residents and daily commuters. For them, this approval fulfills a long-standing demand. They anticipate much-needed relief from the frequent, frustrating traffic jams and the long waiting hours currently endured at the railway crossing gate.
Echoing this sentiment, a senior Sonepur railway official confirmed that the project is poised to play a crucial role in improving overall connectivity and driving infrastructure development in the area in the coming days.
