Patna: The two-lane smart road constructed over the Mandiri Nala (drain) is scheduled to be inaugurated on Monday, marking the 77th birth anniversary of former MLA Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha, father of BJP national president Nitin Nabin. The road, expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in key areas, will be named "Navin Kishore Sinha Path".
Project Overview
This flagship initiative under Patna Smart City Limited (PSCL) promises to transform connectivity among crucial parts of the city while addressing long-standing drainage challenges. Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary and BJP national president and Rajya Sabha member Nitin Nabin will inaugurate the road, marking a major milestone in urban infrastructure development.
The 1,289-metre-long smart road, constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 115.08 crore, connects the Income Tax roundabout on Nehru Path (Bailey Road) to Bansghat on the Danapur-Ashok Rajpath near Siddheswari Kali temple. It further links to the JP Ganga Path (Patna’s Marine Drive), offering a direct route that will cut travel time and ease pressure on busy corridors like Nehru Path, Gandhi Maidan, and Ashok Rajpath. Service lanes, each 5.5 metres wide, have been provided on both sides for smoother entry, exit, and turning movements.
Innovative Drainage Design
At its core, the project features a twin-barrel (double-barrel) reinforced cement concrete (RCC) box drain model. This innovative design allows the top slab to be opened for cleaning and maintenance without damaging the road surface above, ensuring long-term functionality. The structure incorporates three desilting chambers and two access ramps for easy maintenance access. Four sluice gates have been installed to regulate water flow and prevent backflow from the Ganga river during monsoon when river levels rise. A service drain and utility duct have also been built to manage sewage from adjoining areas.
Mandiri Nala serves as Patna’s primary drainage artery, carrying discharge from multiple wards (21, 24, 25, 26, and 27) and handling sewage and rainwater from several major catchments. It links key drains from areas such as S P Verma Road, Mithapur, Gardanibagh, Babu Bazar, Dhobighat, Eco Park, Chhajjubagh, MLA flats, and the Irrigation Building. By covering and upgrading this drain, the project not only creates usable road space but also strengthens the city’s overall drainage network, reducing flooding risks in central Patna.
Additional Features
Beyond core infrastructure, the development includes modern facilities such as street lighting for enhanced safety and visibility, along with landscaping on both sides for beautification. These elements align with the smart city vision of creating aesthetically pleasing, functional urban spaces.
Patna mayor Sita Sahu said CCTV cameras will be installed on this 1.2-km stretch, which will later be integrated with the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC). “The project was launched in December 2021, and the first company constructed only a 70-metre road. Due to the slow pace of work, the company was removed and a re-tender was initiated. Again, the company’s tender was cancelled and the third company was selected, which completed the work in one-and-a-half years,” she said.
The mayor added: “The new corridor is expected to decongest Nehru Path, Gandhi Maidan, and surrounding areas, improve daily commutes, and support broader mobility goals. As one of several ongoing initiatives combining roads with drainage solutions, it underscores Patna’s push toward sustainable and smart urban growth.”
