A smooth drive through a swanky approach road to Patna Junction may soon be a reality if the urban development department has its way.

“We have prepared a master plan for the re-development and beautification of the station area to ease traffic and augment the overall aesthetics of the locality,” a senior urban development officer said on Sunday.

Sources said the government had in 1939 acquired 6.46 acres between Bankipore Jail on Frazer Road and the railway station. The proposed master plan envisages repossession of the government land for development of amenities to accommodate the existing commercial units and overhaul the area.

“Majority of the land along the stretch, starting from Patna Junction to the General Post Office, Golambar (roundabout), on both the northern and southern sides of the Station Road initially belonged to the buildings construction department. The department later handed over pieces of the land to the erstwhile public works department (PWD) and Patna Regional Development Authority (PRDA). While many shops have come up in New Market, most of the remaining area has been encroached. The new plan intends to reclaim the entire land for re-development,” said the officer.

He explained that the re-development would be carried out on two major plots on either sides of the Station Road.

The first half of the area to be re-developed falls on the northern side of the Station Road. It looks like a triangle with Buddha Marg as its base and the station roundabout as one of the corners. The second half is in the shape of a rectangle formed by New Market on the southern side of the Station Road.

“The master plan visualises the development of two commercial complexes or malls on the northern side of the Station Road. At present, the area is dotted with the nearly 90-year-old Bakri Bazaar and many waste material shops. The proposed commercial complexes would accommodate the existing shops at New Market. Apart from the commercial complex, an autorickshaw and bus stand is proposed to be developed close to the under-construction multi-level parking facility developed as part of the Buddha Smriti Park project,” said the officer.

The Patna Administration Committee of 1915 had developed the Bakri Bazaar in 1922-23. It was previously known as Gole Market. The market was built to serve the daily need of meat, fish, eggs, vegetables and grocery items of people living in western Patna. The circular Gole Market has wings stretched towards three directions, with tiled sloping roofs. Gradually, many waste material sales and iron workshops came up around the market. Though majority of the market has been encroached upon, brisk trade continues at the complex from chicken sale.

Apart from re-developing the Bakri Bazaar, a vending zone has been proposed at New Market.

“The vending zone is aimed at accommodating all unauthorised and street vendors on both sides of the Station Road and Patna Junction roundabout. This would ensure smooth vehicular movement with the Station Road free of encroachment. All the vendors would be offered individual units inside the proposed vending zone free-of-cost and on lease for 99 years,” the officer added.

Apart from de-clogging the surrounding areas of Patna Junction, the new plan eyes development of open spaces and green areas.

“A park can also be developed near the multi-level parking facility, which coupled with the Buddha Smriti Park, can become one of the most sought-after destinations. Various other landscaping measures can also be adopted to augment the aesthetics of the vicinity,” he added.