Patna, Jan 9 (NationPress) Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar conducted a visit to the JP Ganga Path, often referred to as Patna's Marine Drive, on Friday to evaluate the ongoing efforts in plantation, landscaping, and beautification along the route.

During his visit, the Chief Minister instructed officials to accelerate the progress and ensure completion within the designated timeframe.

"I inspected the landscaping, tree planting, and beautification activities along the JP Ganga Path today. I urged the responsible authorities to finalize the work as soon as possible. Given that this park is positioned by the banks of the Ganga River, it is crucial to prioritize public safety and convenience. I also stressed the importance of maintaining road safety and ensuring smooth traffic flow. This area is set to become a major attraction for the populace in the future," declared CM Nitish.

The JP Ganga Path, located beside the Ganga River in Patna, has quickly become one of the city's key attractions since its public opening.

The project, executed by the Bihar State Road Construction Corporation Limited (BSRCCL), is developed at a substantial cost of Rs 3,831 crore and spans a remarkable length of 20.5 kilometers.

This four-lane Marine Drive connects essential locations such as Digha, Atal Path, LCT Ghat, Gandhi Maidan, PMCH, Patna University, NIT, Gaighat, Kangan Ghat, Krishna Ghat, Patna Ghat, and Didarganj. It is also linked to major thoroughfares like JP Setu, Mahatma Gandhi Setu, and the Patna Ring Road.

The project's foundation stone was laid on October 11, 2013, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan.

Since its inception, the JP Ganga Path has dramatically decreased travel time across the city, allowing commuters to journey from Digha to Didarganj in just 20–25 minutes, compared to the previous travel duration of one-and-a-half to two hours via Ashok Rajpath and the Patna Bypass Road.

This roadway has also improved emergency and medical connectivity, notably facilitating quicker access to PMCH and AIIMS Patna for patients from northern districts of Bihar such as Chhapra, Gopalganj, and Siwan.