In just three years, a web of flyovers would surround Patna Junction.

With the Assembly election model code of conduct round the corner, the state government has started the bidding process for two much-awaited flyover projects around the busy railway station.

The first flyover would connect Mithapur railway overbridge to Chiraiyatand railway overbridge via Karbighaiya, while the other would connect Mithapur railway overbridge to Bhikhari Thakur railway overbridge (near Assembly) over Hardinge Road via the R-Block roundabout.

While the flyover over Karbighaiya would be constructed with an estimated outlay of Rs 103 crore, the Hardinge Road flyover would be built utilising funds to the tune of Rs 118 crore. (See graphic)

"The tender for both flyovers have been floated and bids against the same would be received till July 22. We expect the work to start by the end of August and the construction period for both of these has been fixed at 36 months," said a senior official in Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited.

Sources claimed that one flank of the flyover over Karbigahiya would connect to Chiraiyatand railway overbridge and another flank would drop on Mithapur bus stand road.

Similarly, one flank of the proposed flyover on Hardinge Road would connect to Bhikhari Thakur railway overbridge and another would drop on Beer Chand Patel Marg. 

Snarl-free drive

The travel time in reaching the railway station would reduce considerably with construction of the two flyovers.

At present, vehicles come down from Mithapur railway overbridge at Karbigahiya Mor and crawl for around 500 metres thereafter on the rear side of Patna Junction to reach the western tip of Chiraiyatand railway overbridge.

This stretch is perennially chock-a-block, and at times it takes as much as half-an-hour to cover this distance.

Once the Karbighaiya flyover is ready, vehicles would move on elevated pathways right from the northern point of Mithapur railway overbridge at Buddha Marg till the eastern end of Chiraiyatand railway overbridge, covering a total length of around 5km.

The average travel time on the other hand, is expected to be not more than 10 minutes.

"Traffic jam at Karbigahiya has become a perennial issue. It takes me more than half-an-hour on an average to cover the distance of mere 500 metres at Karbigahiya in my car. The new flyover would thus prove to be a boon for people like me, who commute frequently between Kankerbagh and Buddha Marg or Hardinge Road," said Monu Agrawal, a businessman.

Similarly, the construction of Hardinge Road flyover is expected to provide the much-needed respite to commuters facing snarls owing to frequent closure of R-Block gate.

R-Block gate is a designated Dharna Sthal for protesters. After every few days, NGOs, social activists, independent organisations, or unions stage dharna there, leading to traffic chaos.

The closure of the gate increases pressure on Fraser Road, Station Road, Dakbungalow roundabout, Income Tax roundabout, Bailey Road and immense traffic pressure on Beer Chand Patel Marg.

The construction of the new flyover would however, allow vehicles to avoid R-Block gate by taking up the elevated pathway running above it.

Elevation matters

The Patna Junction area seems to be transforming into a well-knit web of elevated roads.

Apart from the proposed flyover at Karbighaiya and Hardinge Road, works are already in full swing for joining Mithapur and Chiraiyatand railway overbridge over station road.

The construction works on the 1,061m-long flyover connecting the two railway overbridges over Station Road started in November 2013.

The Karbigahiya flyover and Patna Junction flyover would run parallel to each other with Chiraiyatand railway overbridge on the eastern side and Mithapur railway overbridge on the western side.

Expressing happiness over construction of new flyovers, private firm employee Amit Kumar said: "Apart from snarls on normal days, the traffic moves at a snail's pace all around the station area. Traffic load is obviously higher in this area as thousands of people come to Patna Junction to board trains. Besides, there is a temple and mosque as well, which are also thronged by large number of devotees especially on the occasion of festivals. Thus, it is a welcome move to develop a network of flyovers to decongest the station area."