By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The Patna High Court recently held a hearing on the construction of access roads and essential facilities around Patliputra railway station. This hearing was in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Bharat Prasad Singh. Presiding over the case, Chief Justice KV Chandran’s division bench directed the South Bihar Power Distribution Company to submit an affidavit detailing the issues it is facing in carrying out the work. The next hearing is scheduled for 29 November 2024.
During the session, it was reported that construction is underway on Gola Road, located on the western side of Patliputra station, but the South Bihar Power Distribution Company has encountered certain operational challenges. The court has ordered the company to explain these difficulties formally in the upcoming affidavit. Additionally, the plan to link Digha-Ashiana Road and the Digha-AIIMS Elevated Road from the east to Patliputra station remains under high-level consideration.
In the previous hearing, the court requested Advocate General PK Shahi to press the state government to expedite the completion of pending road projects. Representatives from the Central Government also provided updates on progress along Gola Road, though petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Satyam Shivam Sundaram, expressed concerns that the pace of construction remains slow.
Advocate Sundaram informed the court that work on the road connecting Gola Road to Patliputra station has stalled due to objections raised by the Electricity Board. While an update on the costs associated with the Ashiana-Digha Elevated Road was presented, the overall progress was reported to be sluggish. The court also heard of plans to extend the AIIMS elevated road directly to Patliputra station, aiming to provide passengers with direct and efficient access to the station.
