Prayagraj: Commuters from areas like Daraganj, Allahpur and Alopibagh will soon spend lesser time being stuck in traffic jams as authorities get ready to begin with the construction of the Buxi Bund railway overbridge (ROB) from November after its blueprint was approved recently.
Being constructed at a cost of Rs 53 crore, the overbridge has been a long-standing demand of local residents and will cut the travelling time of commuters heading to Katra, Mumforganj, Old Cantonment and Phaphamau. UP State Bridge Corporation Limited (UPSBCL) would start with the construction of the 800-meter ROB from November. Beginning from the vegetable market, the ROB would extend up to Kamla Nehru hospital and will also pass over Hashimpur Crossing.
The construction of the ROB will also benefit those coming from Jhunsi. Once the overbridge is ready, the commute between Jhunsi and Allahabad University would be reduced by around three kilometres. Local residents from Chhota Bagadha area would be benefited from it too.
Presently, commuters coming to the city via the route have to cross two railway crossings. With the doubling of tracks between Prayag Junction and Prayagraj Junction and Prayagraj Sangam being turned into an active railway station, the two manned railway crossings on the road to Buxi Bund are closed many times. The delay often leads to traffic jams.
“The blueprint of the ROB is ready and has been approved. The construction of this ROB is expected to begin in November,” said UPSBCL general manager RK Singh.
The announcement of the ROB was made by the deputy CM, Keshav Prasad Maurya. Earlier, the construction was to start around September, but was delayed. It is estimated that the overbridge would be completed within a year.
Although authorities are tight-lipped, but by going with UPSBCL’s records — it constructed five ROBs during Kumbh 2019 — this overbridge would take around a year to be completed.