Buxar ROB closed after structural damage, commuters face fresh hardship

Buxar: Woes of Buxar residents have deepened after a slab atop the fifth pillar of the Buxar–Baruna rail overbridge (ROB) on the Itadhi Road side was damaged on Friday, prompting authorities to suspend traffic on the bridge.With both the ROB and the level crossing shut, residents are facing severe inconvenience. The situation worsened on Saturday after the Railways removed rubber pads from tracks at the Itadhi Road railway level crossing. The crossing had been permanently closed following the ROB’s operationalisation on May 31.Initially, heavy vehicles were barred from the bridge, followed by a ban on smaller vehicles on Friday. By Saturday, the route was completely sealed for all vehicles, with soil dumped on the bridge to prevent access.Buxar DM Sahila has taken up the matter with Railway Ministry officials in New Delhi, seeking permission to reopen the Itadhi Road railway crossing as a temporary relief. However, no breakthrough has been achieved so far.Thousands of commuters, including private vehicles and commercial transport, use the ROB daily. “After nearly 12 years of delay, residents had hoped the ROB would ease congestion. But the relief was short-lived,” said Soni Kumari, a Plus Two teacher from Itadhi.The DM inspected the site on Saturday along with officials of Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Ltd (BRPNNL) and the Railways, directing immediate action. The BRPNNL executive engineer has been asked to conduct a technical assessment and proceed as per norms. Traffic will remain suspended until further notice.The executive engineer said the ROB has not been formally inaugurated and is still under construction. “An FIR has been lodged against the contractor for alleged negligence,” he added. The DM also directed SDO Avinash Kumar to arrange alternative routes.Senior divisional engineer-III of East Central Railway, Danapur, Utpal Kant, said substandard materials were used in the approach road and some portions remain vulnerable. He added that the level crossing will remain closed.The ROB project was executed jointly by the Railways and BRPNNL, with the Railways constructing the bridge structure and BRPNNL building the approach roads at a cost of over Rs 26 crore.“The public is suffering immensely. With both the bridge and crossing closed, commuting has become extremely difficult,” said resident Ramji Singh. Traffic has been diverted to the Pandey Patti railway crossing, leading to heavy congestion and frequent jams.Residents alleged that despite assurances, no concrete relief measures have been implemented. “Officials speak of alternatives, but commuters continue to face long delays,” said Prabhakar Dubey.