Bihar's river front project

The State Government has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for the ambitious river front scheme along the river Ganga in Patna. The DPR for the Rs 40.53-crore scheme will now be sent to the Union Urban Development Ministry for approval.

The State Government has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for the ambitious river front scheme along the river Ganga in Patna. The DPR for the Rs 40.53-crore scheme will now be sent to the Union Urban Development Ministry for approval.

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The DPR proposes development of ghats, construction of pedestrian pathway (4.5 metre wide) between Collectorate and Kalighat (2.5 km), illumination of heritage buildings along the river bank and development of inter-ghat spaces by landscaping and constructing gardens. The landscaping will be done along the inter-ghat spaces between Collectorate Ghat and Gaighat along the 6-km stretch.

Another highlight of the proposal is the development of socio-cultural centres at three identified spots Collectorate Ghat, Bhadra Ghat and Patna College Ghat. A pedestrian pathway has been set up between Kalighat and Patna College Ghat.

On Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi discussed the DPR with Chief Secretary Anup Mukherjee, Development Commissioner Navin Kumar, Finance Commissioner Bhanu Pratap Sharma and Urban Development Secretary Deepak Kumar.

"The proposals are in line with aesthetics and will help provide a facelift to the ghats along the Ganga and will turn out to be a hot spot for Patnaites," said a senior officer. The idea of a pedestrian pathway has been floated by the Government for beautification of the State Capital. The Government has also proposed to build a parallel road strip along the Ganga from Gaighat to Digha to reduce the congestion on the Ashok Rajpath.