Level Crossing Number 70 Special Reopens in Buxar After Three Month Closure
Commuters in Buxar can finally breathe a sigh of relief as Level Crossing No. 70 Special at Itarhi Road near the Buxar railway station officially reopened for traffic on September 11, 2026, between 10 AM and 11 AM. This vital crossing had been shut down for three months due to structural damage found on a newly inaugurated Road Over Bridge, causing severe daily inconvenience for local residents and travellers.
Here are the key highlights regarding the reopening and the bridge status:
- Official Reopening Date: September 11, 2026, between 10 AM and 11 AM.
- Temporary Duration: Permitted for a maximum of six months or until ROB repairs are finished.
- Approval Source: Railway Board official order issued on September 1, 2026.
- Repair Responsibility: The National Highways Authority of India has been tasked with fixing the bridge.
Background of the Closure and Bridge Damage
The original railway gate was shuttered on May 30, 2026, shortly after the grand inauguration of the local Road Over Bridge. However, the bridge—which was constructed at a cost ranging from ₹26.4 crore to ₹40 crore—sustained sudden structural damage around June 5, 2026, forcing authorities to close it immediately for public safety. Saraswati Chandra, the Chief Public Relations Officer of East Central Railway, clarified that while the railway-built main span of the bridge remains completely sound, the actual issues were localized specifically in approach piers numbered 13, 14, 15, and 16, which were originally built by the Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited.
Public Outrage and Official Intervention
According to the Bihar Road Construction Department, settlement issues occurred near an expansion joint situated right on the bridge's approach. This unexpected failure caused massive public distress, culminating in a significant railway blockade on August 8, 2026. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, local public representatives including Buxar MP Sudhakar Singh, Rajpur MLA Santosh Kumar Nirala, and Congress district president Pankaj Upadhyay lobbied extensively for immediate relief. As an extraordinary measure to alleviate daily commuter hardship until the damaged infrastructure is fully restored, the railway authorities granted permission to temporarily reopen the level crossing.