The protest rallies near R-Block would continue to frustrate daily commuters of Patna for some more time.

The urban development and housing department has asked the district administration to look for space other than Gardanibagh Stadium in connection with the space for protests in the city.

The district administration had requested the department to shift the rally site from R-Block to Gardanibagh Stadium.

However, sources said the department was not in favour of the proposal and had asked the administration to look for an alternative near the stadium premises so that the rallies, which have become a daily affair these days, could be shifted there.

'The R-Block has been a permanent location for rallies for long. There is a proper route chart and whenever the rally reaches the spot, the gates are closed down so that the protesters cannot go to the other end towards the Assembly,' an official at the district administration said.

He, however, said: 'The closure of the R-Block gates leads to a major traffic problem on almost all roads of Patna, especially the Income Tax roundabout. The administration has been contemplating to shift the protest site from R-Block. A proposal to hold rallies at Gardanibagh Stadium has been sent to the department,'

The official added that the department got back to the administration stating they should look for a different spot.

'The department is not fully convinced with the idea and has asked the administration to look for more options. The administration has spotted a land near the Gardanibagh stadium and the ADM (law and order) has been asked to visit the spot and make a detailed report on its feasibility and send the proposal to the DM office. The DM will then forward the same to the department again. Apparently, the department doesn't want to take the rally site to the stadium as it is meant for players,' the official said.

Patna district magistrate Abhay Kumar Singh termed it a long story.

'It is a long story. We had sent some proposals in connection to the change of the rally site and the department has reverted asking us to look for more options. We would send new proposals to them. The process would take time,' the DM said.

Department officials said the ADM would prepare a detailed report describing the new spot and its surroundings, presence of private residences or offices in the area. 'He will be coordinating with the traffic police and chart out a new route through which he protesters will be asked to move to reach the spot. There are many other points like these,' another administration official said.

Amid all this the sufferers were the daily commuters.

'Even last year, I had heard that the administration was searching for a spot other than the R-Block for the rallies. They are very slow in implementing important works related to the welfare of the people. It is a known fact that the closure of the R-Block gates spells doom for us everyday. Rather than making quick attempts to solve the issue, they are still proposing and disposing the matter,' said Amitesh, a daily commuter.

Last Monday, the chief minister's cavalcade showed a Patna High Court judge what commuters go through everyday. Caught in a CM-made snarl near Chitkohra Roundabout, Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh summoned top officers of the administration and police and asked them to ensure smooth traffic.