Hellish Situation in Bholanath Pul Area Due to ROB Construction; Moram and Alternate Routes Relied Upon to Deal with Waterlogging, City Residents Struggling with Sluggish Pace
Bhagalpur, Special Correspondent: The construction work of Silk City Bhagalpur’s much-awaited and highly crucial Bholanath Railway Overbridge (ROB) / Flyover is currently turning into a major ordeal for city residents instead of a convenience. The inordinate delays in the construction of this ROB project stretching from Mirjanhat Sheetla Sthan to Bhikhanpur Gumti, and the severe waterlogging generated in various places as a consequence, have thrown normal public life out of gear. The situation is such that to escape the waterlogging and mud in prominent areas like Dickson More, Ishakchak, and Bhikhanpur, the administration and local residents are forced to rely on laying Moram (coarse sand/ballast) and using alternate routes.
Why Has Severe Waterlogging Become a Problem?
Waterlogging has long been a chronic issue in the Bholanath Pul area. During flyover construction, main drainage routes have been obstructed at several points, causing light rainfall or dirty drain water to spill onto the streets:
Reign of Mud and Foul Water: Due to months of stagnant water near Dickson More and pillar construction sites, those sections have transformed into swamps or quagmires. The proliferation of mosquitoes and the risk of infectious diseases are escalating rapidly due to decomposing water and garbage here.
Use of Moram and Brick Bats: In view of the severe difficulties vehicles face in slipping on muddy roads and pedestrians encounter while walking, Moram (sand) and broken bricks are being dumped on roads as an interim arrangement to keep traffic moving somehow.
Compulsion of Alternate Routes and an Extra Detour of One to Two Kilometers
With main routes blocked for months due to barricading at various spots for flyover construction, the traffic system has completely collapsed:
Diversion: Main routes are closed near Bhikhanpur Gumti No. 2 and Dickson More due to girder casting and pillar work. Consequently, motorists and local residents are forced to choose long alternate routes just to exit their homes.
Hardships Faced by the General Public: People have to make an extra detour of one to two kilometers to reach their destinations. The worst-hit are school children and senior citizens, who have to trudge through narrow lanes and muddy paths. In emergencies, the arrival of ambulances and fire engines has also become difficult.
Turtle-Paced Construction and Extending Deadlines
The sluggish pace of the Bholanath ROB project has broken the patience of the public:
Repeated Extensions of Deadlines: This project, costing approximately 86 crore rupees, was originally scheduled to be completed within a set timeframe under initial plans. However, due to administrative and technical hurdles (especially delays in obtaining launching permissions in the railway zone), its deadline has been extended to June 30, 2027. Nevertheless, judging by the pace of work on the ground, locals and experts believe it may take much longer to complete.
Issue Echoed in the Legislative Assembly: Recently, representatives also prominently raised the issue of delays and waterlogging in this project during the assembly session, following which administrative directives were issued to accelerate water drainage using pumps and speed up drain construction work.
Impact on Business and Daily Life
Business establishments in the area have been severely impacted due to road closures and waterlogging:
Shopkeepers state that their businesses have come to a standstill because customers cannot access the routes. Living amidst dust and mud has become a daily compulsion for local shopkeepers and residents.
While the construction of the Bholanath ROB is extremely vital for Bhagalpur's long-term development and traffic mobility, mismanagement, waterlogging, and sluggish pace are currently making it a living hell for the public. Until this project is completed, the administration must ensure regular drainage and better monitoring of alternate routes alongside stopgap measures like spreading Moram, so that city residents can find some relief from this agonizing ordeal.
