Commuters who regularly travel between Patna and Ara in Bhojpur district are set to face significant disruptions for more than half a year. A crucial section of the road connecting these two points will be completely shut down for over seven months to facilitate major construction work.
Road Closure Details and Duration
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will close the road between Shivala Chowk and Kanhauli in the Danapur sub-division. This total closure for all vehicular movement is scheduled to last from December 18 until July 15. District officials have stated that this extended period is essential for the construction of an elevated road on this vital highway corridor.
Special Arrangements and Diversion Plans
In an effort to reduce inconvenience, authorities have made specific provisions for school traffic. Vehicles transporting students to educational institutions along the affected stretch will be permitted to operate only during two specific time windows each day: from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM and again from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Officials have indicated that these timings may be revised later if school schedules change.
For general traffic moving from Ara towards Patna, the Danapur sub-divisional officer's office has released a detailed traffic plan with multiple diversion routes:
- One route diverts traffic via Bihta Chowk to Maner, then proceeds through Danapur Cantt toward Patna.
- Another option follows the same path to Maner but then continues through Sherpur, Chhitnawan, Usri Bazaar, and Shivala to enter the city.
- An alternative allows commuters to travel from Bihta Chowk to Kanhauli at Sarmera Mor and then move through Naubatpur to reach AIIMS-Patna Square.
- A similar route branches from Naubatpur Bazaar towards Shivala for those choosing that entry point into Patna.
Long-Term Project and Traffic Management
This major disruption is part of the larger Danapur-Bihta elevated road project undertaken by the NHAI. While the immediate impact will be significant, the project promises to deliver improved long-term connectivity for the region. Officials have designed the traffic plans to distribute vehicular movement evenly across alternative routes and prevent severe bottlenecks.
The authorities have acknowledged that minor adjustments to traffic movement may be necessary under special circumstances. They urge all commuters to plan their journeys in advance, consider the additional travel time, and strictly follow the signposted diversion routes for a smoother experience during this lengthy construction phase.
