For the past three years, residents of Buxar town have been grappling with relentless traffic congestion, all stemming from a single incomplete infrastructure project. The railway overbridge (ROB) at the bustling Itadhi railway crossing, a project stuck in limbo, has transformed into a daily nightmare for commuters, students, and local businesses.
A Bridge to Nowhere: The Core of the Crisis
The root of the problem lies in a stark disconnect between two authorities. The railways completed the superstructure of the overbridge approximately one-and-a-half years ago, according to Buxar railway traffic inspector Vindhyachal Pandey. However, the crucial approach roads, which fall under the jurisdiction of the state government, remain unfinished. This partial completion has effectively turned the construction zone into a massive bottleneck instead of a solution.
The location exacerbates the issue significantly. The Itadhi crossing sits on the eastern side of Buxar railway station, cutting across the railway line at a right angle. The road alignment itself is flawed, as both Itadhi Road and the road from Sikraul village converge precisely at the railway gate. Vehicles from the north are forced into a sharp turn, while those from Sikraul divert towards Itadhi, creating a continuous logjam at the southern end.
Peak Hour Paralysis and Public Anger
The congestion reaches critical levels twice daily, coinciding with school and office hours. A large number of private schools are situated along Itadhi Road, leading to a heavy influx of school buses, vans, and parents' vehicles. This regular traffic merges with the daily commuter flow, resulting in gridlock.
The frequent movement of passenger trains through Buxar station adds another layer of disruption, causing road traffic to halt repeatedly. A court clerk from the civil court, who crosses the Itadhi gate daily around 9 am, highlighted the personal impact: "There is always a traffic jam. I often reach the court late because vehicles hardly move." This sentiment echoes widely among the public, who allege persistent apathy from the district administration.
Official Standpoint and Lingering Questions
Railway official Vindhyachal Pandey has clearly distanced the railways from the ongoing chaos, placing responsibility squarely on the state government's incomplete approach roads. This passing of the buck offers little solace to the citizens of Buxar, who have endured this situation for three long years.
The unfinished ROB at Itadhi crossing stands as a stark symbol of infrastructural delays and administrative coordination failure. It continues to waste precious time, fuel, and patience, affecting the productivity and daily rhythm of an entire town. Until the approach roads are completed, the bridge meant to ease traffic will remain a primary cause of its congestion.
