By Alok Mohit and Neeraj Kumar
PATNA: The Patna High Court has directed the Bihar government to submit a progress report within three weeks regarding the construction of roads connecting Pataliputra railway station and the provision of basic amenities at the railway facility.
While hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, a division bench, headed by chief justice KV Chandran, urged the state’s advocate general PK Shahi to personally request the state government to expedite the completion of roads under construction.
The court posted the petition, filed by Bharat Prasad Singh, for further hearing after three weeks.
During a previous hearing, the Central government had provided details on the progress of Gola Road construction.
Petitioner’s lawyer Satyam Shivam Sundaram informed the court that the construction of roads connecting Pataliputra railway station was progressing slowly. He said work on the road linking Gola Road to the station had been halted due to objections from the electricity board. While cost estimates for the Ashiana-Digha elevated road were presented, the progress of the construction of roads connecting Pataliputra railway station remained sluggish, he added.
The court was also informed about plans to extend the AIIMS elevated road to the station, providing direct access for passengers. There were plans to widen the canal road for passengers coming from Danapur and Gola Road, the court was told.
The petitioner said while Pataliputra station was constructed some time ago, the lack of proper road connectivity from all directions had caused significant inconvenience to travellers. It was also said that train services from Pataliputra railway station had been under operation for quite some time, but basic facilities for citizens are not yet fully available.
