Bhagalpur Metro Development: RITES Conducts Comprehensive Citywide Survey

Bhagalpur: The city of Bhagalpur is currently witnessing a comprehensive survey as part of the ongoing efforts to develop a metro service. This survey, which began on Friday, is being conducted by Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES Limited) and is focused on parking and non-motorized transport options in the city.

Jaishankar Kumar, Project Coordinator for RITES, explained that the non-motorized survey aims to study the movement and usage patterns of pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized vehicles. “This survey helps us understand how and where people travel on foot or by bicycle, the number of pedestrians and cyclists, and their travel patterns,” Kumar said. He added that the survey will also assess the condition and safety of cycle routes, the design and layout of roads and pathways, and the effectiveness of traffic signals and signage.

In addition to the non-motorized survey, a parking survey is also being conducted. “The parking survey is crucial to understanding the availability, usage, and demand for parking spaces in Bhagalpur,” Kumar stated. “We aim to determine how and when parking spaces are utilized, which will be key to planning for future metro services.”

The survey team is also analyzing data from the city’s Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC), where cameras monitor the traffic system. The data collected will provide insights into the current traffic patterns and help in planning the metro service. Furthermore, RITES will collaborate with the town planner of Bhagalpur’s Smart City project to ensure a well-integrated transport system.

This metro survey is part of a broader initiative by the Bihar government to expand metro services beyond Patna, with plans to introduce the service in Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, and Darbhanga. The state government has already approved a budget of Rs 702 crore to initiate this ambitious project.