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Patna,(BiharTimes): Mahatma Gandhi Setu, which bridges Patna and Hajipur, seems to have become nobody’s baby. The 5.5 km long bridge over river Ganga often witnesses four to five hours jam as for last several years only one side has been operational. |
For commuters and passengers it is horrible time. During the Sonepur Cattle Fair days the problem is further compounded.
Though the Centre has taken up Express Highway projects and rural roads are being funded generously under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana there is none to look after the 28-year young bridge. The bridge, which was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1982, is not only enough to be brought down and re-built. Yet engineers are of the view that there is no other option left for it. They attribute the faulty technology adopted for its construction for the present condition of the bridge.
According to Bihar’s new Minister of Road Construction Nand Kishore Yadav the bridge falls under the jurisdiction of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Central Public Works Department (CPWD). Thus the State government is waiting for an approval from them to go ahead for its renovation.
Bihar government has repeatedly called for collective efforts by the Centre and the state. In this regard a rehabilitation proposal has been sent to the Centre.
The problem is that the bridge a lifeline to a large part of north Bihar and Nepal can not be immediately close down. A rail-cum-road bridge is coming up a few kilometers west. It will bridge Patna and Sonepur. Till this new bridge becomes operational the renovation work on Mahatma Gandhi Setu is not possible. Cosmetic repair work is the most which can be done at present.
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