Patna: The Bihar government is preparing to shift Patna’s designated protest site from the congested Gardanibagh area to an open stretch of land near the JP Ganga Path, popularly known as Marine Drive, as part of efforts to reduce chronic traffic disruption in the state capital.
District authorities have identified around two acres of land in the Dujra area, close to the Ganga riverfront, for the proposed site. Officials say the move is aimed at easing pressure on Gardanibagh, where frequent demonstrations have routinely brought traffic to a standstill and caused inconvenience to residents, hospital patients and commuters.
Gardanibagh has long been a flashpoint for congestion, particularly around the Civil Surgeon’s office and Gardanibagh Hospital. During large protests, police often halt vehicular movement entirely on key routes. The situation becomes more acute during Bihar legislative assembly sessions, when demonstrators march towards the assembly building in large numbers.
Recently, district magistrate Dr. Thiyagarajan SM inspected the existing protest site at Gardanibagh along with senior administrative and traffic officials. The team also surveyed the proposed land in Dujra. The district magistrate has sought a report from the circle officer to clarify the status and ownership of the land before a final decision is taken.
The proposed site, however, is not without controversy. The administration maintains that more than 20 acres in the Dujra area fall under unsurveyed land and are being treated as government property. Some farmers have contested this claim, asserting ownership and submitting land records. Officials said several claims and objections were filed at the circle officer’s office, though most have already been rejected. The area is also earmarked for multiple state government projects.
Patna’s protest site has been relocated several times over the past few decades. Before 1999, demonstrations were held near Hartali Mor, leading to frequent traffic snarls on Nehru Path. A court order later shifted the site to R Block, which served as the designated protest area until 2014. Persistent congestion due to a nearby bus stand on Harding Road prompted the Patna high court to order another relocation, this time to Gardanibagh.
Now, officials argue that Gardanibagh has itself become impractical due to limited space and growing traffic volumes. The district administration believes that moving the protest site closer to Marine Drive will provide a more permanent and accessible venue for demonstrators, while significantly improving traffic flow on some of the city’s busiest roads.
