The government on Monday spelt out specific dates in 2017 for construction of two pontoon bridges parallel to the dilapidated Mahatma Gandhi Setu across the Ganga in Patna to help small vehicles cross the river.
Deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav said: "The first pontoon bridge will be built parallel to Gandhi Setu by January 2017, followed by another by May 2017. These will help people cross the river."
Tejashwi was replying to Congress MLC Dilip Kumar Chaudhary's query during the question hour in the Legislative Council. The MLC had cited problems commuters face on Gandhi Setu because of restricted traffic movement.
The deputy chief minister, who holds additional charge of the road construction department, added: "Rajendra Pul across the Ganga at Mokama in Patna district has been made fully operational after repairs on July 31. It will help reduce the burden of vehicles on Gandhi Setu."
He added that the stretch between pillar numbers 44 and 45 on the Setu's west lane had been removed and traffic from the Patna side took the east lane at the spot. However, police were ensuring passage of ambulances on a priority basis.
Tejashwi informed the House that the concrete superstructure will be replaced with a steel superstructure for Rs 1,355 crore.
The pontoon bridge across the Ganga at Danapur on the outskirts of Patna will be laid in November after the water level in the river dips, said the deputy chief minister.
He added that no bridge was technically feasible at the place. Hence, pontoon bridges were used to facilitate movement in the riverine areas there.
The proposed demolition of a part of Patna collectorate, which was used as an opium godown by the Dutch, also cropped up during the question hour. BJP legislator Nawal Kishore Yadav sought to know the government plans and whether or not it would be declared a heritage structure.
"A report by the district magistrate says that the condition of the building is bad. Earthquakes occur. We have to ensure that no lives are lost if the structure caves in. The government has plans to build an integrated multi-storey building at the site as the building cannot be repaired," Tejashwi said.
He added that declaring the building a heritage structure was the prerogative of the art, culture and youth affairs department, which will be a suitable decision.
In another question in the Council, MLC Neeraj Kumar asked about the extent of implementation of the mini dairy scheme in which units with two to five cows were to be provided to beneficiaries and the state government was supposed to set up 6,457 such units in the 2015-16 financial year.
Animal and fish resources minister Awadhesh Kumar Singh told the House: "Altogether 622 units were set up against the target. The matter was raised in the state-level bankers' committee meeting and the banks have assured that the target will be achieved during the 2016-17 financial year."
Similarly, legislator Sanjay Prasad sought to know why panchayat representatives in Jamui, Munger, Sheikhpura and Lakhisarai districts had not been paid their honorarium for the past two years.
As panchayati raj minister Kapildev Kamat failed to give a convincing answer, Council chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh asked him to give district-wise details of honorarium distribution on August 4.
