Construction of two vital Rail Over Bridges (ROB) in Bhagalpur has hit a major roadblock, causing a significant delay for local commuters. The Bholanath flyover and the Bhagalpur-Goradih road bridge are currently facing hurdles related to land acquisition and local protests. This situation has pushed the expected completion date of the bridge structures to at least December 2027, followed by the construction of approach roads.
Why is the Bholanath Flyover construction currently stalled?
The 1,392-meter long Bholanath flyover is stuck at two critical points, specifically at Sheetalasthan Chowk for pillar A-1 and Bhikhanpur Trimurti Chowk for pillar A-2. Although nearly 70% of the work is finished after 32 months of construction, these essential pillars cannot be built until private land is acquired. A five-member committee is currently evaluating the value of land, houses, and trees to finalize compensation for the owners. Officials from the Bridge Construction Corporation hope to resolve these land issues by May 2026 to resume full-scale work.
What are the challenges for the Bhagalpur-Goradih ROB project?
The Bhagalpur-Goradih road bridge project, which costs approximately 67 crore rupees, is facing intense resistance from local residents near Mirjanhat. People in the area are demanding a Rail Underbridge (RUB) instead of an Overbridge to avoid the demolition of their homes. Because of these protests, work on 10 pillars on the Mirjanhat side has not yet started, even though construction on 11 pillars on the Goradih side is moving forward. The project details are as follows:
| Project Detail | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Total Length | 713.8 Meters |
| Bridge Width | 13 Meters (with 1m footpaths) |
| Height over Railway | 16.5 Meters |
| Project Cost | Approx 67 Crore Rupees |
| Total Pillars | 21 Pillars |
| Construction Agency | Hardev Construction Pvt. Ltd. |
Residents have already reached out to the Chief Minister and the Human Rights Commission regarding the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) data. The delay of another 1.5 to 2 years means that the residents of southern Bhagalpur will continue to face congestion and waterlogging issues at the existing Bholanath underpass for a longer period.