Patna: Bailey road - the city's lifeline - saw a huge traffic jam on Monday a day after an under-construction flyover caved in.

On Sunday, a portion of Lohia Chakra Path caved in near BPSC office.

As a result, the road near BPSC office was blocked and alternative routes had to be chalked out for vehicles moving from West to East Patna.

Roads in the VIP zone - such as Hardinge road, Desh Ratna Marg and Stand Road - normally out of bounds for general commuters, were opened to the public to clear the rush.

The VIP areas were choc-a-bloc with autos, hand-pulled rickshaws, light vehicles and bikes. Even arterial roads connecting the VIP area were packed.

The blockage on Bailey road was to blame for the traffic jam, there being no other routes connecting western to eastern Patna, which has a majority of government offices and business establishments.

Adding to the woes of commuters was the monsoon, as there was light rain on Monday too.

Dhananjay Kumar, a commuter stuck near Daroga Rai path, said: "The state government should repair the collapsed stretch on Bailey road immediately, as moving on the sidelines is tough."

The sidelines were unpaved roads covered with mud and filled with potholes.

Shahnawaz Hussain, another commuter, said: "The traffic problem will further deteriorate on Tuesday when schools reopen. The district administration had shut all schools because of incessant rain on Saturday and Sunday. The real problem will set in on Tuesday. There will be heavy traffic jam on Tuesday when schoolbuses and vans too will ply on the roads."

Because of the traffic jam on Bailey road, other roads connecting Bailey road, too, saw heavy traffic jams on Monday.

Long queues were seen on Boring road, too, near the High Court roundabout.

Traffic jams were also seen near Patna Junction, as heavy vehicles and autos were routed from eastern Patna, Patna Junction and R Block to go to the western side of the city.

Patna traffic police had on Sunday made alternative traffic arrangements for commuters going from the western side to the eastern side of Patna.

Autos, heavy vehicles coming from the Raja Bazar side of the city were being asked to turn near Dumra Choki and move towards Patna airport.

But the diversion led to a major traffic jam on Pir Ali Marg, the road that connects Patna airport with the Patel roundabout.