Nitish Kumar Launches Fifth Phase of JP Ganga Path
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Synopsis
On April 10, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the fifth phase of JP Ganga Path, extending the vital riverside road from Kangan Ghat to Didarganj. This phase improves urban mobility in Patna and connects key locations, significantly reducing travel time.
Key Takeaways
- Fifth phase of JP Ganga Path inaugurated.
- Enhances connectivity from Digha to Didarganj.
- Cost of the project: Rs 3,831 crore.
- Travel time reduced to 20-25 minutes.
- Improves emergency access for North Bihar patients.
Patna, April 10 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, officially launched the highly anticipated fifth phase of JP Ganga Path on Thursday, expanding the renowned riverside roadway from Kangan Ghat to Didarganj.
The remote inauguration was celebrated with joyous cheers and slogans from the enthusiastic crowd.
This newly opened five-kilometer section of the JP Ganga Path—often referred to as Patna’s Marine Drive—provides enhanced connectivity from Digha to Didarganj, significantly alleviating traffic congestion and cutting down travel time between the eastern and western sectors of Patna.
The overall project was executed at a cost of Rs 3,831 crore, covering a total length of 20.5 km, constructed by the Bihar State Road Construction Corporation Limited.
Upon this inauguration, the Marine Drive will now connect several key locations including Digha, Atal Path, LCT Ghat, Gandhi Maidan, PMCH, Patna University, NIT, Gaighat, Kangan Ghat, Krishna Ghat, Patna Ghat, and Didarganj.
Furthermore, it will be connected to JP Setu, Mahatma Gandhi Setu, and the Patna Ring Road. The new route will allow direct access from Patna to Koilwar Bridge in Bihta, facilitating quicker connections to Ara-Buxar (NH-922), Ara-Mohania (NH-319), and the Purvanchal Expressway.
The foundation stone for this project was laid on October 11, 2013, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan.
The project has been executed in multiple phases: Phase 1 from Digha to PMCH (7.5 km) was inaugurated on June 24, 2022; Phase 2 from PMCH to Gaighat (5 km) was inaugurated on August 14, 2023; Phase 3 from Gaighat to Kangan Ghat (3 km) was inaugurated on July 10, 2024; Phase 4 connecting Krishna Ghat Sampark Path was inaugurated on October 3, 2024; and Phase 5 from Kangan Ghat to Didarganj (5 km) was inaugurated on April 10, 2025.
This four-lane roadway is set to drastically reduce travel time across the city, allowing commuters to travel from Digha to Didarganj in approximately 20 to 25 minutes, a substantial improvement from the previous one-and-a-half to two-hour journey through Ashok Rajpath and Patna Bypass road.
Additionally, it will enhance crucial emergency and medical access, especially to PMCH from Patna AIIMS, benefiting patients from North Bihar districts such as Chhapra, Gopalganj, and Siwan.
This development is expected to promote tourism by offering beautiful views of the Ganga, particularly during sunset. A planned Smart Patna beautification project aims to transform the riverfront into a vibrant recreational and cultural center.
After the inauguration, attendees expressed profound appreciation to CM Nitish Kumar for realizing a long-held aspiration.
This roadway is anticipated to be a transformative factor for urban transportation in Patna.
Prominent figures at the inauguration included Vijay Kumar Sinha, Samrat Chaudhary, Nitin Naveen, among others.
