Sariya Railway Overbridge Delay: Completion Set for May 2027
The residents of Sariya are expressing intense frustration over the Sariya railway overbridge delay and the stalled construction of the highly anticipated project. Following a series of protests, railway authorities have finally provided a timeline for the completion of the infrastructure.
New Deadlines and Service Road Promises
A delegation led by Barki Sariya Nagar Panchayat President Shobha Devi met with the Chief Railway Engineer in Hazaribagh on Thursday, October 15, 2026. During this crucial meeting, officials provided formal assurances that the construction of a necessary service road will commence immediately after Durga Puja, starting on October 22, 2026.
Regarding the overbridge itself, officials have established a firm target completion date of May 30, 2027.
Protests Sparked by Massive Delays
The project, which was sanctioned with a significant budget of ₹73 crore and had its foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has faced significant public backlash due to the slow pace of work. The community is increasingly impatient as timelines continue to shift.
JLKM leader Dharampal Mahto initiated an indefinite protest (dharna) near Vivekananda Chowk on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, citing the contractor's failure to meet deadlines. Mahto pointed out that while the project was originally slated for completion within 18 months, it has now been 28 months with only 50% of the work finished.
Daily Struggles for Commuters
The slow progress has caused severe hardships for local residents, shopkeepers, and commuters. The area is currently dealing with several critical issues:
- Constant exposure to dust and mud
- Frequent waterlogging in the vicinity
- Chronic traffic congestion caused by the poor condition of the service road
The situation reached a critical point on September 28, 2026, when authorities were forced to bar heavy vehicles from the Sariya Road via Bagodar due to the hazardous state of the diversion road near the construction site. Protesters are now demanding immediate improvements to ensure safe public transit while they await the final delivery of the overbridge.