Patna: The Patna High Court has sought responses from the Bihar government and the Patna Metro Rail Corporation (PMRC) over the closure of a major road in East Patna for the construction of the Patna Metro Rail depot, following a public interest litigation that claims the move has severely disrupted local connectivity.
The matter was heard on Tuesday by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai and Justice Soni Shrivastava.
The court issued notices to the state government and PMRC, directing them to file affidavits in response to the allegations raised in the petition. The case has been listed for further hearing at a later date.
Road Closure Challenged In PIL
The petition concerns a 50-foot-wide road connecting the Ranipur and Pahari areas of East Patna, which has reportedly been closed due to the development of the Patna Metro Rail depot.
According to the petitioner, the depot is being constructed on approximately 75 acres of land, and the road’s closure has disrupted the movement of nearly 25,000 residents in the surrounding areas.
Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Satish Kumar informed the court that the route had long served as a crucial transport link connecting National Highway 30 (Patna–Bakhtiyarpur route), the Kankarbagh–Patna-Gaya Road and State Highway-1, which provides access to the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) and the metro station.
Alternative Route Not Provided, Petition Claims
Advocate Sumeet Kumar Singh, representing the petitioner, argued that neither the district administration nor the metro authorities had arranged an alternative route before closing the road.
The petition also alleges that another access route known locally as “Chhappan Ka Dagar”, which varies between 100 and 150 feet in width at different points, has also been blocked.
According to the petitioner, the closures have affected not only daily mobility but also the livelihoods of more than 250 families living in the Ranipur and Pahari areas.
Traffic Pressure Mounting
The petition further argues that infrastructure developments in the area, including the ISBT bus terminal and the metro station project, have already increased traffic pressure significantly.
With the closure of the connecting roads, only one route reportedly remains available for travel between NH-30 and State Highway-1, forcing thousands of commuters to navigate severe traffic congestion on a daily basis.
The petitioner has urged the court to intervene and ensure restoration of connectivity or the provision of adequate alternative routes for affected residents.
The state government and the Patna Metro Rail Corporation are expected to submit their responses before the next hearing.
