Patna: Bihar government has proposed the construction of a 6-metre-wide unpaved Kanwariya path along National Highway-22 (NH-22) between Hajipur and Muzaffarpur to provide a dedicated route for pilgrims travelling to Baba Garibnath Temple. Road Construction Minister Er. Kumar Shailendra has written to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari seeking approval for the project.
According to the Road Construction Department, the proposed path will be built on available land along NH-22 and is intended to improve safety and convenience for Kanwariya pilgrims while easing traffic movement on the highway.
Site Inspection Conducted
The minister inspected the existing Kanwariya route from Pahleja to Baba Garibnath Temple on July 30 to assess its cleanliness and current condition. During the visit, he directed departmental officials to begin the necessary administrative procedures for developing a permanent unpaved path.
The proposed route is expected to be around 50 kilometres long and six metres wide. Officials from the Road Construction Department and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) were present during the inspection.
Modelled on the Sultanganj Kanwariya Route
The proposed corridor will be developed on the lines of the Kanwariya path from Sultanganj, which provides a separate route for devotees during the annual pilgrimage season.
The department said the project is intended to create a dedicated pedestrian corridor made of ordinary soil and sand for pilgrims travelling on foot.
Safety and Traffic Management
The minister said lakhs of devotees from Bihar and other states collect Ganga water from Pahleja Ghat in Saran district during the Shravani and Bhado melas before walking to Baba Garibnath Temple to perform Jalabhishek.
At present, pilgrims walk along the paved carriageway of NH-22 because no separate route exists. According to the minister, this increases the risk of road accidents and affects the smooth movement of traffic during the pilgrimage season.
Proposal Sent to Centre
In his letter to the Union government, the minister requested approval for constructing the dedicated unpaved Kanwariya path on available NHAI land between Hajipur and Muzaffarpur.
The Road Construction Department said the proposed facility would provide a safer and more comfortable journey for pilgrims, reduce accident risks on the national highway and help prevent encroachment through the planned use of currently unused land alongside NH-22.
