Three years on, drainage plans for Danpur, Phulwari Sharif await Cabinet clearance

PATNA: Three years on after a plan was initiated, the Bihar urban infrastructure development corporation (Buidco) has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for the development of an integrated drainage system for Danapur, Khagal, and Phulwari Sharif—an integral part of Patna, an official aware of the development said.

According to an official aware of the development, the project, envisaging the construction of a 45km long network of drains, may take a few more months to take shape, as the DPR is still pending for clearance by the urban development and housing department (UDHD).

The plan to develop an integrated drainage system for Patna and the adjacent township was mooted in 2019 after Anand Kishore took over as secretary of the UDHD in the wake of massive waterlogging in these areas. “However, things moved at snails’ pace, even as residents of Danapur, Khagaul, and Phulwari Sharif have been left to fend for themselves during the monsoons,” said Vimal Kishore, a native of Gola Road.

Deputy chief minister Takishore Prasad, who also holds the UDHD portfolio, during his recent meeting with the officials to review the state of preparedness of the civic bodies for the rainy season had directed the officials to expedite the process of getting the cabinet clearance.

“Construction on drains is unlikely to start this season, as it will start raining from next month. The department will make the allotments for the project once the DPRs are cleared by the cabinet. Buidco has submitted the DPRs to the department last month,” said an executive officer, pleading anonymity. An officer of the UDHD said that the drainage network of Danapur and Khagaul, entailing the construction of 34.72km long drains, would cost around ₹197.72 crore. The DPR for Phulwari Sharif’s drainage system, which proposes the construction of a 10.74 long network of drains, is likely to cost around ₹50.19 crore.

In the first phase, 25 major nullahs would be built with concrete structures in Danapur and Khagaul. Major drains will be constructed from RPS Engineering College to Kothwa Road, Gola Road, and Tribhuwan School to Khagaul Road in Danapur. Major drains have been planned from AIIMS, Patna to Khagaul Lock, and Rai Chauk to Isopur in Phulwari Sharif.

UDHD principal secretary Anand Kishore could not be contacted for his comments.

THE PLAN TO DEVELOP AN INTEGRATED DRAINAGE SYSTEM FOR PATNA AND THE ADJACENT TOWNSHIP WAS MOOTED IN 2019