Patna: Modern prefabricated shops are set to be installed along JP Ganga Path, popularly known as Marine Drive, as part of a new plan aimed at improving amenities along the riverfront while preserving its visual appeal.
Under the proposal, a total of 50 shops will be constructed using prefabricated technology, allowing the structures to be installed quickly while maintaining a modern architectural design. The project will be implemented by Patna Smart City Limited (PSCL), which has already initiated the process of selecting a construction agency.
According to officials, 45 of the proposed shops will measure 16 feet in length, 10 feet in width and 9 feet in height, while five larger shops will measure 20 feet in length, 10 feet in width and 9 feet in height.
The shops will be organised into five clusters of ten units each. Each cluster will include nine smaller shops and one larger unit, a layout designed to maintain visual uniformity while providing improved facilities for visitors to the riverfront.
Yashpal Meena, managing director of PSCL, said the aim is to complete the installation of the new shops within two months.
The new proposal follows the removal of around 200 earlier shops that had been constructed at the site at a cost of approximately Rs 15.45 crore. Authorities said those structures were dismantled because they obstructed the view of the Ganges river and affected the overall aesthetics of the Marine Drive stretch.
Plans are now being considered to reallocate the removed shops to JEEViKA self-help groups, allowing them to be used productively elsewhere.
Officials said the revised plan involves fewer but more carefully designed structures, ensuring that the scenic riverfront remains visible while still creating commercial opportunities.
PSCL is also exploring options to outsource the management of certain assets along the corridor as part of efforts to generate additional revenue for ongoing Smart City projects in Patna.
