JP Ganga Path works to resume from Nov 15

PATNA: Works on the ambitious JP Ganga Path project, popularly known as Ganga driveway, will resume in full swing from November 15 with decline in water level of the Ganga.
Sanjay Kumar, managing director of Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL), the nodal agency of the project, said the stretch of the road from Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) to Gai Ghat is likely to be ready by March next year and the entire project is targeted to be completed by June, 2024. "The work was stopped during monsoon season owing to the rise in water level in the Ganga. However, as the water level has receded and Chhath festival is also over, the contractors have been asked to resume work from November 15. The mobilisation of machinery and workers has already started," Sanjay told TOI on Wednesday.
The 20.5km-long JP Ganga Path on the banks of the river between Digha and Nasriganj was conceptualised around 2010 and it became a part of the Nitish Kumar-led government's vision 2021 for development of Patna. Its foundation stone was laid by CM Nitish in 2013.
The first phase of the Ganga Path between Digha and Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) was inaugurated by CM Nitish on June 24 this year. The first phase of the project is 7.4km-long, out of which 6.5km is semi-elevated structure constructed by making 13meter-high bund along the bank of the Ganga.
The first phase of Ganga driveway has already decongested traffic in the city to much extent. The 40-meter wide road along with a 5-metre-wide walkway has provided a smooth alternative for vehicular movement along the northern periphery of the state capitals. Vehicles now avoid the congested Ashok Rajpath between Digha and Gandhi Maidan and take Ganga Path instead. "Under the second phase, the work is in progress from Nauzar Ghat end in Patna City as well as PMCH. While the stretch between PMCH and Gai Ghat is slated to be completed by March next year, the stretch up to Nuzar Ghat is slated to be completed by June in the same year," the BSRDCL managing director said.
Apart from the main driveway, the project envisages construction of seven approach roads as well, out of which one at AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies near Gandhi Maidan, is already completed.