Ajay Kumar at 16:11, 26 September 2023

2023-09-26T16:11:26Z

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{{Short description|Expressway under construction in Patna, Bihar, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}

{{Infobox road
| country = IND
| map =
| map_custom =
| map_notes =
| name = Loknayak Ganga Path
| alternate_name = Patna Marine Drive<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/cm-nitish-kumar-inspects-construction-works-on-jp-ganga-path-also-known-as-patna-marine-drive-for-third-time-in-67-days/articleshow/101524149.cms?from=mdr|title=CM Nitish Kumar inspects construction works on JP Ganga Path, also known as Patna Marine Drive, for third time in 67 days}}</ref>
| image =
| length_km = 20.5
| length_round = 222
| direction_a = West
| terminus_a = [[Digha, Patna|Digha]]
| junction =
| direction_b = East
| terminus_b = [[Deedarganj railway station|Deedarganj]]
| status = Currently functional
| formed = 24 June 2022
| history =
| state = [[Bihar]]
| maint =
| cities = [[Patna]]
}}
'''Jp Ganga Path''' (Ganga Pathway) or '''Patna Marine Drive''' is an [[Controlled-access highway|expressway]] along the [[Ganga]] river in [[Patna]], [[Bihar]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/patnas-marine-drive-will-now-be-extended-up-to-bakhtiyarpur-in-east-direction-and-sherpur-in-west/articleshow/91267131.cms|title=Patna's Marine Drive will now be extended up to Bakhtiyarpur in east direction and Sherpur in west}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Four-lane-Ganga-highway-to-be-ready-by-Sept-17/articleshow/46668140.cms |title=Four-lane Ganga highway to be ready by September '17 - Times of India |website=[[The Times of India]] |accessdate=2016-05-09 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113105521/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Four-lane-Ganga-highway-to-be-ready-by-Sept-17/articleshow/46668140.cms |archivedate=13 January 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> It is being jointly constructed by the [[Housing and Urban Development Corporation]] (HUDCO) and the [[Government of Bihar]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ganga Marine Drive in Patna to be operational by 2017 end|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2015/04/ganga-marine-drive-in-patna-to-be-operational-by-2017-end/|accessdate=14 April 2015|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|date=12 April 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416023755/http://news.biharprabha.com/2015/04/ganga-marine-drive-in-patna-to-be-operational-by-2017-end/|archivedate=16 April 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121017/jsp/bihar/story_16097487.jsp#.VyiMD_l97IU |title= Driveway hits river wall|website=www.telegraphindia.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602133120/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121017/jsp/bihar/story_16097487.jsp |archive-date=2 June 2016}}</ref> Jp Ganga Path (Patna Marine Drive) was planned to ensure a smooth flow of traffic between east Patna and west Patna, and ease the traffic congestion at [[Ashok Rajpath]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/construction-work-on-patna-marine-drive-will-be-completed-up-to-gaighat-by-june-this-year-officials-tell-cm-nitish-kumar/articleshow/99891154.cms|title=Construction work on Patna Marine Drive will be completed up to Gaighat by June this year, officials tell CM Nitish Kumar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/ganga-path-to-be-ready-up-to-gaighat-by-june/articleshow/99898940.cms|title=Ganga Path to be ready up to Gaighat in Patna by June}}</ref>

The first phase of the expressway was open to the public on 24 June 2022.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2022 |first=Piyush |last=Tripathi |title=Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to open Ganga Path, 2 more projects today |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/bihar-cm-nitish-kumar-to-open-ganga-path-2-more-projects-today/articleshow/92422957.cms |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> The second phase of Patna Marine Drive was inaugurated by Chief Minister [[Nitish Kumar]] on 14 August 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/ganga-path-gaighat-stretch-set-for-launch-in-mid-august/articleshow/102438600.cms?from=mdr|title=Ganga Path-Gaighat stretch set for launch in mid-August}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/cm-to-open-lohia-path-chakra-j-p-path-extension-on-aug-14/articleshow/102664306.cms?from=mdr|title=CM to open Lohia Path Chakra & J P Path extension on Aug 14}}</ref>

==History==
It was approved in August 2007 and the ground breaking ceremony was held on 11 October 2013 by the Chief Minister of Bihar, [[Nitish Kumar]].<ref>[http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-11/patna/42940165_1_ganga-path-navyuga-engineering-company-bsrdc CM to inaugurate work on Ganga Path today] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014153045/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-11/patna/42940165_1_ganga-path-navyuga-engineering-company-bsrdc |date=14 October 2013 }}. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2013-10-11). Retrieved on 2013-12-06.</ref> It was expected to be completed by the end of 2022.<ref>[http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-12/patna/42967649_1_nitish-kumar-ashok-kumar-sinha-expressway Patna's Marine Drive to ease traffic snarl in 4 years] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016180354/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-12/patna/42967649_1_nitish-kumar-ashok-kumar-sinha-expressway |date=16 October 2013 }}. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2013-10-12). Retrieved on 2013-12-06.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160107/jsp/bihar/story_62527.jsp#.Vyh2W_l97IU |title= Bihar's bane hits Ganga drive|website=www.telegraphindia.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514183652/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160107/jsp/bihar/story_62527.jsp |archive-date=14 May 2016}}</ref> On 24 June 2022, the first phase of the expressway was inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister [[Nitish Kumar]].<ref name=":0" />

Ganga Path project which has been in pipeline for many years, dubbed as the Marine Drive of Patna, the Ganga Path or Ganga Expressway will connect Digha to Kacchi Dargah along the river [[Ganges]]. The tender for the same is likely to be issued by the second week of May by Bihar State Road Development Corporation and the contract will be finalized by June.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130403071159/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-31/patna/38162556_1_border-road-border-outposts-ganga-expressway Work on Ganga Path to start soon] The Times of India Patna 31 Mar 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.biharfoundation.in/%E2%80%8Bwork-on-ganga-path-to-start-soon/ Work on Ganga Path to start soon] BIHAR FOUNDATION 31 March 2013</ref>

==The Expressway==
It is a {{convert|20.5|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} road built between Digha and Deedarganj in Patna at a cost of Rs.2234.46 crores.

===Phase I : 6.5 kms===
The first phase of the project between Digha to Patna Medical College and Hospital , covering 6.5 km long was inaugurated on 24 June 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/patna/story/patna-news-marine-drive-to-open-for-public-today-1966256-2022-06-24|title=Patna's version of Marine Drive to open for public today}}</ref> The road has been constructed on 13 metre high dam.

===Phase II : 5 kms===
The second phase from Patna Medical College Hospital to Gai Ghat, covering 5 kms was inaugurated on 14 August 2023. The second phase extends the road by 18 km to Fatuha.<ref>[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bihar-cm-nitish-kumar-lays-foundation-stone-of-ganga-expressway/1/314323.html Bihar CM Nitish Kumar lays foundation stone of Ganga Expressway] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016080904/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bihar-cm-nitish-kumar-lays-foundation-stone-of-ganga-expressway/1/314323.html |date=16 October 2013 }}. Indiatoday.intoday.in (2013-10-12). Retrieved on 2013-12-06.</ref> The Ganga Path is 6.5 km at-grade level and 14 km elevated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/ganga-pathway-patna-s-version-of-mumbai-s-marine-drive-to-be-opened-next-year-11628480349316.html|title=Ganga pathway: Patna’s version of Mumbai’s Marine Drive to be opened next year}}</ref>

===Phase III : 9 km===
The third phase of project from Gandhi Setu to Deedarganj is under construction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/jp-ganga-path-now-to-be-extended-till-deedarganj/articleshow/102886241.cms|title=JP Ganga Path now to be extended till Deedarganj}}</ref>

==Cost==
The total cost involved in this mega project is {{INR}}5600 crore, having time interval for its completion to be four years. After the private investors failed to appear on the horizon, the State government itself decided to go ahead with the project. The Cabinet has given approval to take loan of {{INR}}2000 crore from Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) and the rest amount of {{INR}}1,160 crore is to be raised through the State resources. HUDCO has agreed to provide the loan at a floating interest rate of 10.75%, to be returned in 16 years after completion of the project. Out of the total budget, a sum of {{INR}}2,770 crore will be spent on the construction of road and elevation work and {{INR}}390 crore on land acquisition and utility shifting.

==Decongest Patna==
The expressway will ensure a smooth flow of traffic between east to west Patna, and also ease the traffic congestion at [[Ashok Rajpath]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/construction-work-on-patna-marine-drive-will-be-completed-up-to-gaighat-by-june-this-year-officials-tell-cm-nitish-kumar/articleshow/99891154.cms?from=mdr|title=Construction work on Patna Marine Drive will be completed up to Gaighat by June this year, officials tell CM Nitish Kumar}}</ref> There will be nine points on the expressway connected to Ashok Rajpath. It will be a toll road. The much-anticipated project will give breath to the heavily congested roads of east to west Patna. It will not only give a beautiful riverfront but will also give a boost to the economic activities of the area.<ref>[http://bsrdcl.bih.nic.in/news/News-01-01-09-2012.pdf [pdf]Clarification of Pre-bid Meeting held on 22.08.2012 for Ganga Path ...] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016134957/http://bsrdcl.bih.nic.in/news/News-01-01-09-2012.pdf |date=16 October 2013 }} bsrdcl.bih.nic.in Sept 01, 2012</ref>

===Features at a glance===
*Total length : 23.04 km
*Drive way : 4-Lane, 14 m;km
*Drive way on land : 16 km
*Footpath : 5-foot on either side of drive way
*Connection to bridges: Digha Rail bridge, Mahatma Gandhi Setu, [[Kacchi Dargah-Bidupur Bridge]]
*Total cost : {{INR}}3,106 Crore<ref>[http://go4patna.com/index.php/patna/whtzz-up-in-the-city/news-of-patna/235-patnas-ganga-path-project-to-finally-take-off Patna's Ganga Path project to finally take off] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016092151/http://go4patna.com/index.php/patna/whtzz-up-in-the-city/news-of-patna/235-patnas-ganga-path-project-to-finally-take-off |date=16 October 2013 }} go4patna.com. 2 April 2013.</ref>

==Patna Riverfront==
It is planned as 4.5 km long riverfront along Ganges.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/patna-riverfront-project-delayed/articleshow/60038873.cms|title=Patna riverfront project delayed|website=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113175920/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/patna-riverfront-project-delayed/articleshow/60038873.cms|archivedate=13 November 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> 20 ghats were to be developed along a 2.3-km promenade with four cultural centres on the stretch of Patna riverfront. 4.5-metre wide esplanade has to stretch from Collectorate Ghat to Adalat Ghat (470m), Adalat Ghat to Gandhi Ghat (1132mt), Gandhi Ghat to Rani Ghat (384m) and — after a gap of few ghats — Bhadra Ghat to Nauzar Ghat (330m). This project is part of [[National Ganga River Basin Authority]].

==Status updates ==
* '''Aug 2017:''' 14 ghats have been completed.
* '''June 2022''' the first phase of the expressway was inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister [[Nitish Kumar]] on 24 June.<ref name=":0" />
* '''June 2022''' The ‘Patna Marine Drive’ will shorten the distance from Digha to PMCH by 15-20 minutes<ref>{{cite news |title=Bihar gets its own version of Mumbai's Marine Drive and London's Thames Path |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/bihar-gets-its-own-version-of-mumbai-s-marine-drive-and-london-s-thames-path-11656125245856.html |access-date=1 August 2023 |work=mint |date=25 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Transport in Bihar#Expressways|Expressways in Bihar]]
* [[Chhapra–Hajipur Highway]]
* [[Expressways in India]]
* [[Outer Ring Road, Patna]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Patna}}

[[Category:Roads in Bihar]]
[[Category:Transport in Patna]]
[[Category:Memorials to Jayaprakash Narayan]]
[[Category:Expressways in Bihar]]

Loknayak Ganga Path - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 16:11, 26 September 2023