Patna: Patna’s JP Ganga Path, popularly known as Marine Drive, is set to see a major change after the state government decided to remove all the fabricated shops built along the stretch. The decision was taken on the instructions of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who ordered a review of the project. Earlier, the plan was to allot these shops after Kharmas, but even before that period ended, officials decided to stop the process and change the entire design. As a result, the shops are now being dismantled and shifted away from the riverfront.
Officials said the decision came after senior officers carried out a surprise inspection and found several problems in the existing shop design. The stalls were found to be inconvenient for both shopkeepers and customers, with issues related to space and layout. Due to these flaws, the government felt the shops did not match the importance and beauty of the JP Ganga Path project. To protect the look of Marine Drive and ensure better facilities in the future, the old design was rejected.
All the fabricated shops are now being shifted to Gardanibagh. Earlier, around 500 shops were planned along the Ganga Path, but the final number may change after a new design is prepared. The new model will be developed on the lines of well-planned cities like Jaipur and Indore, which are known for organised and attractive street markets. The final design and future plan will be approved in the upcoming Patna Smart City board meeting, which will be attended by the mayor, district magistrate, municipal commissioner and other senior members.
There is also a discussion on who will manage these shops once the new plan is approved. Jeevika women’s self-help groups have shown interest and have submitted a proposal to take over the already built shops. However, officials said a final decision will be taken in the board meeting, where options such as handing over the shops to Jeevika, another department, or running them directly under Patna Smart City to earn revenue will be discussed.
Earlier, 280 vendors who had been running stalls near Digha Golambar for many years were identified and were to be given shops on a priority basis. The remaining shops were to be allotted through a separate process. The project was estimated to cost more than Rs 15 crore, with each shop equipped with basic facilities such as washbasins, counters, exhaust fans, lights and electrical fittings. With the removal now underway, all eyes are on the Patna Smart City board meeting, which will decide the new future of shops and commercial activity around Patna’s Marine Drive.
