Speed up Saidpur, Bakarganj drain projects, CM tells officials

Patna: CM Nitish Kumar on Monday inspected the ongoing construction works of the Saidpur and Bakarganj underground drains and the roads being built over them. He directed officials to speed up the work and ensure better execution of both key urban infrastructure projects.

During the inspection, Patna division commissioner Animesh Parasar and district magistrate Thiyagarajan S M briefed the CM about the progress of the projects.

While inspecting the Saidpur drain, Nitish said he had visited the site several times earlier as well. He instructed officials to restore the drain properly and expedite the construction of a four-lane road over it. “It is a very good project. Once completed, traffic congestion in Saidpur, Rajendra Nagar, Musallahpur Haat, Gaighat and Pahari will be resolved, and people will get an alternative route connecting to the New Patna Bypass. The four-lane road will ease commuting and enhance the city’s appearance,” he said.

According to a communiqué issued by the chief minister’s office, water from nine drainage pumping stations and one sewage treatment plant (STP) of Patna flows through the Saidpur drain. Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (BUIDCO) is executing the construction of the underground drain and the road up to Pahari at a cost of Rs259.81 crore. The total length of the drain is 5.61km.

The CM also inspected the underground drain and road construction at Bakarganj.

During the visit, he asked officials to ensure quality and timely completion of the project. “After completion, drainage in this area will improve and waterlogging will end. The road over the drain will make commuting easier,” he said.

The communiqué stated that the Bakarganj drain is a major drainage channel in central Patna, starting from the Uma Cinema Hall and extending to the Ganga River at Anta Ghat. It passes through several markets and residential areas and plays a crucial role in rainwater disposal. Under the project, a 1.4-km road is being constructed over the drain, which will improve both traffic flow and water drainage.