Patna, In a significant move to alleviate long traffic jams at the Phulwari railway crossing near the Jaiprakash Narayan International Airport, Patna, construction of a Road Under Bridge (RUB) is set to commence. East Central Railway (ECR) GM Anil Kumar Khandelwal inspected the site at railway crossing gate number 33/B near Phulwarisharif station on Sunday.
According to ECR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Birendra Kumar, the RUB, estimated at Rs 80 crore, is deemed essential as approximately one lakh people, including daily commuters, pass through the gate. The railway crossing witnesses the passage of about 280 pairs of passenger trains daily in both directions.
The project, for which an MoU was signed between the railways and the state road construction department (RCD) in 2022, aims to address the traffic congestion issue. The RCD is entrusted with preparing the structural design for the RUB.
Initially proposing a road over bridge (ROB), the railways reconsidered due to objections from the Airports Authority of India, leading to the current RUB plan. Pending approval, the construction is eagerly awaited by the public.
GM Khandelwal also conducted inspections at Patna Sahib and Fatuha stations, assessing cleanliness, catering services, and passenger amenities.