Patna: Work on installing prefabricated shops along Patna’s JP Ganga Path is gathering pace, with the first phase of allocations expected to cover around 250 units between Digha Rotary and Kurji. Officials said a provisional list of beneficiaries is being prepared, with allotments likely to begin after Kharmas, the inauspicious period in the Hindu calendar.
The shops, stretching from the Digha roundabout to LCT Ghat, are being painted and decorated ahead of installation. Their façades feature visual references to Bihar’s cultural and architectural landmarks, including the Civilisation Gate, Kargil Chowk, the Yakshini statue and the Golghar. Some units are also being designed with food-and-beverage themes, signalling an attempt to position the riverfront as both a leisure and commercial destination.
Each prefabricated unit will be equipped with basic amenities such as a basin, slab, exhaust fan, lighting and an electrical board. According to officials, the contract includes operation and maintenance for five years, with a three-year defect liability period. The project, estimated to cost around Rs 15.45 crore, is expected to create new opportunities for small traders and vendors.
In total, 500 prefabricated shops are planned along the JP Ganga Path, in three standard sizes. Around 100 units will measure 10 feet by 6 feet, another 100 will be 8 feet by 6 feet, and the remaining 300 will be 6 feet by 6 feet, all with a uniform height of 10 feet.
However, the rollout has not been without delays. Work on installing the shops began in June, but several units placed nearly six months ago are yet to be allocated. The slow pace has led to frustration among prospective vendors, and complaints of fraud have surfaced in recent months. In response, the municipal corporation and Smart City authorities launched an awareness campaign, urging people not to fall for false promises of allotment.
Officials maintain that coordination and liaison work is still under way and that the allocation process will take some more time to conclude. Once operational, the authorities say, the riverfront kiosks are expected to add a new commercial layer to the JP Ganga Path while showcasing Bihar’s cultural identity.
