Patna: Patna’s ambitious infrastructure push is facing hurdles as temples along key routes have slowed down progress on multi-crore projects, including the Metro Rail and Danapur–Bihta Elevated Corridor.
At a review meeting with the Project Monitoring Group on Wednesday, district magistrate Dr. Thiyagarajan SM instructed officials to relocate the Radha-Krishna temple near the PMC Metro Station and another temple near Bihta Chowk, both of which have emerged as major roadblocks.
He also directed authorities to pay compensation to landowners in “camp mode,” expedite land acquisition, and coordinate across departments to ensure projects meet deadlines. “Strict compliance with construction standards must be ensured,” the DM told officials.
The review covered the first phase of the Metro Rail, from Bairia Bus Stand to Malahi Pakadi, where 4.15 decimals of land have been acquired for Khemnichak station. Officials said final notification would be issued after the claim-objection period ends on 1 October.
Similar instructions were given for the Danapur–Bihta Elevated Corridor, where temples at Vishambarpur, Mauja Godhna and Mauja Patasa are delaying construction. The DM ordered immediate marking and relocation. He also pushed for faster certification of land under acquisition for the NH119D project and for road works linked to the Patna–Ara–Sasaram corridor.
Seven villages in Naubatpur and 14 in Bihta fall under this project. The DM pulled up the Naubatpur CO for missing the review meeting, ordering a one-day salary cut and directing early issuance of preliminary land acquisition notifications for the Kanhauli bus stand.
Other projects under the Pragati Yatra initiative, including bridges over the Punpun, Morhar and Dhowa rivers, and new road alignments at Sohagi and Parsa Sampatchak, were also reviewed, with strict orders to accelerate work.
