State-of-the-Art 12-Meter-Wide Foot Overbridge (FOB) Built at a Cost of ₹12 Crores Nears Completion at Sultanganj Railway Station Ahead of Shravani Mela; Pilgrims Will Be Relieved from Crowding and Stampedes
Bhagalpur, Special Correspondent: For the millions of Shiva devotees arriving in Sultanganj from every corner of the country during the world-famous Shravani Mela, Indian Railways and the district administration have delivered a massive relief package this year. To control the heavy influx of passengers and prevent any untoward incidents like stampedes during the mela, the construction work of a 12-meter-wide, state-of-the-art foot overbridge (FOB) being built at Sultanganj Railway Station at a massive cost of ₹12 crores has now reached its final stages. According to senior railway officials, the remaining work on this high-tech FOB will be completely finished just before the formal commencement of the Shravani Mela, providing unprecedented convenience for movement to kanwarias and passengers alike this season.
Why Was This State-of-the-Art Foot Overbridge Needed?
Sultanganj Railway Station is an extremely critical and sensitive station on the Bhagalpur-Kiul rail section. During the holy month of Sawan, millions of kanwarias descend from trains here every year and proceed toward the north-flowing Ganga.
Excessive Pressure of Crowds: Traditionally, due to the old and narrow foot overbridge at the station, when multiple trains arrived simultaneously during Sawan, platforms experienced severe congestion, leaving barely any space to stand. This posed a constant, major risk to passenger safety.
Passenger Safety Paramount: Prioritizing passenger safety above all else, the Ministry of Railways and the Malda Division administration launched the construction of this modern, wide FOB on a war footing, which has now materialized and is fully ready.
Features of the ₹12 Crore Cost and 12-Meter Width
This new foot overbridge has been designed to be exceptionally robust and massive, adhering to modern engineering standards:
Massive Width (12 Meters): The total width of this FOB is kept at 12 meters, which is significantly greater than standard railway bridges. This exceptional width allows thousands of passengers to move smoothly from one platform to another simultaneously without any obstruction.
Provision of Modern Escalators and Ramps: Keeping the convenience of senior citizens, women, and disabled kanwarias in mind, this new foot overbridge has been connected to all platforms of the station. Additionally, special arrangements alongside modern stairs have been made to ensure devotees carrying heavy kanwads face no difficulty.
Robust Structure and Grand Look: Built at a cost of approximately ₹12 crores, the bridge utilizes high-quality steel and concrete, easily capable of withstanding heavy crowd pressure.
Work to Complete Before the Mela, Strict Vigilance by Railway Administration
Officials from Eastern Railway's Malda Division recently visited Sultanganj station to inspect this under-construction foot overbridge.
Finishing Work on a War Footing: Currently, final tasks including bridge roofing, lighting, and painting are being executed rapidly day and night to open it fully for passengers prior to the mela's start.
Aiding Crowd Control: Railway officials believe that with the operationalization of this new FOB, passenger pressure from platform number one and other platforms can be instantaneously diverted, making it much easier to channel train passengers and kanwarias through separate routes.
This 12-meter-wide, state-of-the-art foot overbridge taking shape at Sultanganj Railway Station at a cost of ₹12 crores is set to prove the single largest and most significant upgrade to this year's Shravani Mela arrangements. This joint administrative and railway initiative will not only render passenger travel safe but also ensure that Shiva devotees arriving in Bhagalpur experience a smooth, organized, and comfortable journey.
