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Marine Drive is a long expressway, making other routes short by connecting them. It is a dream project of the Chief Minister of Bihar – Nitish Kumar. This expressway connects Digha to Deedarganj. This project’s idea is a mixture of two other projects – Mumbai’s Marine Drive & London’s Thame Path. What else? Let’s dig deeper!
Everything About Marine Drive Patna
Patna Marine Drive, also known as Loknayak Ganga Path, is a 20.5-kilometre expressway along the River Ganges in Patna, Bihar. It is a major project that aims to transform the city and revitalize its wavefront. The Ganga Path project includes a 6.5-kilometer ground-level section and a 14-kilometer elevated section connecting Digha to Kacchi Dargah.
This new four-lane road runs parallel to the Ganges, making travel along the river smoother and faster. Moreover, the government has made this project a top priority and has put in a lot of effort to get it done. Construction began on October 11, 2013. The first phase was completed and opened to the public on June 24, 2022, connecting Digha to the AN Sinha Institute.
The second phase, extending 18 kilometers to the industrial area of Fatuha, 24 kilometers east of Patna, opened on August 14, 2023. The third and fourth phases are set to start after late 2024. This expressway is supposed to have nine access points connected to Ashok Rajpath. The road will also have toll plazas.
Moreover, the project includes connecting many four-lane approach roads to the Loknayak Ganga Path within the state. Atal Path and Ashok Rajpath will connect to Marine Drive through these approach lanes, further boosting city connectivity.
Phases Included in the Project
A new 20.5-kilometer road connecting Digha and Deedarganj in Patna was built for Rs. 2234.46 crores. Check the phases in which the Marine Drive project is divided:
Phase I—6.5 km: The first part of the project, covering 6.5 km from Digha to Patna Medical College and Hospital, was opened on June 24, 2022. This section of the road is built on a 13-meter-high dam.
Phase II—5 km: The second part, covering 5 km and connecting Patna Medical College Hospital to Gai Ghat, was opened on August 14, 2023. This phase extends the road by 18 km to Fatuha. The road consists of a 6.5 km stretch at ground level and a 14 km elevated section.
Phase III—9 km: This is the third part of the project, starting from Gai Ghat and extending to Deedarganj, which is currently under construction. The section from Gai Ghat to Kangan Ghat will be opened on May 10, 2024.
Progress of the Marine Drive Project
The Patna Marine Drive project is making good progress under the PPP model. Although there were initial delays of over two years due to land acquisition issues. But now it has been resolved, and construction is moving forward steadily. Also, are the projects we’ve discussed earlier being completed in phases, as we have covered these phases?
The first and second phases are already done, extending the Marine Drive to Gai Ghat. The third phase will cover Patna Ghat, and the fourth phase will extend to Didarganj, with both expected to be finished by 2024. This phased approach ensures organized development, promising major improvements to Patna’s infrastructure and connectivity.
Marine Drive Route
What does the Marine Drive project aim at? With India’s increasing population, public and private transport are steadily covering the roads, giving rise to many traffic issues. Hence, its purpose is to improve traffic flow between Patna’s eastern and western parts.
This 20.5-kilometer route starts in Digha in the west and ends in Didarganj in the east, passing through key areas as follows:
- LCT Ghat
- AN Sinha Institute
- PMCH
- Krishna Ghat
- Gai Ghat
- Kangan Ghat
- Patna Ghat
A highlight of this project is its connection to Atal Path, making it easier to reach major medical centers like AIIMS and PMCH. This means better access to top-notch healthcare for Patna residents.
Total Cost of Marine Drive Patna Project
Building the Ganga Path, including the Marine Drive in Patna, is a massive project costing Rs 3,160 crore and will take four years to complete. The Cabinet approved a Rs 2,000 crore loan from a private company to fund this, while the state will provide the remaining Rs 1,160 crore.
The loan will have a floating interest rate of 10.75% and be paid back over 16 years after the project is finished. Most of the budget, Rs 2,770 crore, will go towards road construction and elevation work. Another Rs 390 crore will be used for land acquisition and moving utilities to keep the project on track.
These financial plans show a serious commitment to making the Patna Marine Drive project a reality, promising major improvements and changes for the city.
Facilities Provided in Patna Marine Drive Project
The four-lane road, with a speed limit of 80 km/h (50 mph), features 11 interchanges and 18 flyovers. It also includes a 5.5 km (3.4 mi) cycle track and a 2.5 km (1.6 mi) jogging track.
Here are some of the facilities at Patna Marine Drive:
- Cycle track
- Jogging track
- Food courts
- Restaurants
- Cafes
- Playgrounds
- Parks
- Amphitheaters
- Cultural centres
- Art galleries
- Museums
Moreover, this project goes beyond your expectations! Let’s find it below:
- There are speed guns attached to avoid overspeeding and make your travel faster.
- The street lights are provided for better visibility during the night.
- Trees and plants are on both sides of the road to improve the natural feel.
- Moreover, medical and traffic aid is provided to help the travelers if they need it.
- Noise barriers are installed to lower the noise pollution.
- The pedestrian facility is available for a safe walk throughout the road.
What are The Key Features of Patna Marine Drive?
Check out the following features of Patna Main Drive below:
- Four-lane approach roads improve connectivity.
- The 20.5-kilometre four-lane expressway offers elevated sections with scenic views.
- It has nine access points connected to Ashok Rajpath and is a tolled road for sustainable funding.
- The area also features cultural centers, art galleries, and museums.
- You’ll find a cycle track, jogging path, food courts, restaurants, cafes, playgrounds, parks, and theaters.
Benefits of Patna Marine Drive
The main drive project’s two significant benefits are the riverfront’s development and better connectivity among various long routes. Let’s discuss them in detail!
Development of Riverfront
Riverfront development involves several exciting features:
- A 44.5 km route with four cultural centers, 20 ghats, and a 2.3 km promenade.
- Phase 3 of the Patna Ganga Riverfront development will add more green spaces.
- Unauthorized buildings along the ghats won’t be allowed.
- Playgrounds and meditation sites will enhance your leisure experience.
- The riverside area extends from Adalat Ghat to Collectorate Ghat.
Better Connectivity
The benefits in terms of better connectivity that we’ll get in the future are as follows:
- The Main Drive route will open up Ashok Rajpath with nine connecting points, reducing congestion on the east-west Patna road.
- Usually, taking patients to the hospital takes an hour or more, but the Main Drive route only reduces this distance to up to 20 minutes.
- The areas connected to the road are Gol Ghar, Science Centre, Bapu Sabhagar, Gandhi Maidan, Shri Krishna Memorial Hall, Biscomaun Bhawan, and AN Sinha Institute.
- You can also access a massive – six-lane road bridge through Kachi Dargah in Patna.
- You can also access the core area if you are from Chapra, Bihta, and AIIMS.
Hence, these improvements will make traveling across the city much faster and easier.
Conclusion
As Patna Marine Drive takes shape, it shows the city’s big dreams for a modern future. This project will help turn Patna into a bustling metropolis, blending perfectly with its rich heritage and lively culture. What are your thoughts on it? What do you think? Tell Heavenleads in the comments! We’d love to hear your thoughts!
