Bhagalpur Lohia Pul-Aliganj Four-Lane: The long-awaited 3.70-kilometer four-lane road project, intended to provide seamless traffic connectivity to the city’s southern region, appears to be losing momentum due to administrative lethargy and a lack of inter-departmental coordination.
**Machinery Cannot Be Deployed**
Despite a grand foundation-laying ceremony and a formal launch, the road construction work has failed to gain pace on the ground. Dual administrative hurdles have emerged as the primary obstacles to the road-widening process. The biggest roadblock in the project stems from the issue of utility shifting. **Work Order Issued Five Months Ago**
It is mandatory to deposit approximately ₹30 lakh in supervision charges with the Electricity Department to safely relocate the dozens of electricity poles, wires, and transformers falling within the project’s alignment. The construction department has not yet deposited this amount into the Electricity Department’s account; consequently, the Electricity Department has completely halted the work of removing the poles and lines. **Forest Department NOC Also a Major Complication**
Alongside the impasse with the Electricity Department, the failure to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Forest Department has become another major headache for the project. Formal clearance from the Forest Department is essential to remove trees and forest assets located within the designated construction zone, yet the matter remains stuck in bureaucratic red tape.
Until the electricity poles are removed and the Forest Department’s NOC is secured, it remains technically impossible for the construction agency to deploy heavy machinery and proceed with the widening work. Work Remains Sluggish Despite Minister Laying Foundation Stone
It is noteworthy that Road Construction Minister Er. Shailendra laid the foundation stone for this four-lane road project with great fanfare on August 8th. The work order had already been issued to the concerned construction agency about five months prior. Although the agency had commenced construction near the Aliganj end, the work could not progress due to the lack of necessary clearances and fund approvals.
Lohia Bridge-Aliganj Four-Lane Road
Road Length: 3.70 kilometers.
Project Scope: Widening from 2 lanes to 4 lanes.
Foundation Stone Laying: August 8 (by Road Construction Minister Er. Shailendra).
Work Order Status: Issued to the construction agency approximately 5 months ago.
First Hurdle: Outstanding supervision charges of ₹30 lakh owed to the Electricity Department, preventing the start of utility shifting.
Second Hurdle: Pending mandatory NOC from the Forest Department.
Current Status: Progress on the ground has stalled after only minor work at the Aliganj end.
After the foundation stone was laid, city residents hoped that southern Bhagalpur would soon be relieved of traffic congestion; however, the ground reality remains unchanged. Departmental officials are merely making formal claims about advancing the process but are avoiding giving clear answers regarding when the funds will be deposited or when the NOC will be obtained. Due to departmental wrangling, this ambitious four-lane project in Bhagalpur appears to be in limbo.
