Patna: Sigh of relief as one-way traffic movement starts on Digha flyover

PATNA: The Digha flyover, constructed with an aim to ease traffic on Ashok Rajpath-Danapur road, was thrown open to public on Sunday. The flyover connects Nahar Road near Patipul Ghat to the approach road of Digha rail-cum-road bridge.
The 1.2km-long flyover, built with an expenditure of Rs 80 crore, has come as a boon for people going to Sonepur, Chhapra and Hajipur via Digha Setu from Phulwarisharif and AIIMS-Patna.
On Saturday, a trial run was conducted on the new flyover. It was inspected by Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, managing director of Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDC), and executive engineers of road construction department.
Agarwal said one-way traffic movement will be allowed on Digha flyover for the next 15 days. “The vehicles coming from Phulwarisharif, AIIMS-Patna and Naubatpur will be allowed to use Digha flyover to reach Digha Setu. Vehicles coming from Digha Setu end cannot use the flyover for 15 days,” he said.
“The start of Digha flyover means that buses will no longer be unnecessarily parked on Ashok Rajpath-Danapur road. It will ease traffic on the road, especially during the peak hours,” Agarwal, who is also the Patna divisional commissioner, said.
Agarwal said heavy vehicles were not allowed to take U-turn from Ashok Rajpath-Danapur road due to the construction of Digha flyover. “As a result, traffic jam near Digha was a big problem. People of the city will now heave a sigh of relief, thanks to the Digha flyover,” he said.
Agarwal added, “The traffic cops will regulate traffic movement near Digha flyover and 200-metre approach road connecting Digha Setu. The service lane below the Digha flyover will be ready in next 15 days.”
Meanwhile, the locals have welcomed the opening of the new flyover. Suresh Kumar, who owns a medical shop near Digha, said it would ease traffic in the area. “Trucks and vans used to cause traffic congestion near Patipul,” he said.
Anshuman, a resident of Ashiana Colony, the flyover would come as a relief for schoolchildren as well. “Many school buses will also use the new flyover now,” he added.