PATNA: Work on metro rail and double-decker flyover projects on Ashok Rajpath is likely to be delayed as the compressed natural gas (CNG) pipeline that was laid from Gandhi Maidan to Gai Ghat has come as a major obstacle. The agencies engaged in building the flyover and underground metro stations on this route will have to relocate the gas pipeline.
The Patna Metro Rail Corporation Limited (PMRCL) and Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam limited (BRPNNL) have asked the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) to provide detail of the CNG pipeline and estimated cost for shifting the utilities. The agencies have to relocate the 2km pipeline from Kargil Chowk to NIT-Patna to pave way for the construction of underground stations and double-decker road on the route.
The high-flow CNG pipeline was laid by GAIL on Ashok Rajpath in 2020. A K Sinha, general manager of GAIL-Patna, said the pipeline was laid two years back to supply CNG to various pumping stations in areas like Transport Nagar, Zero Mile and Bypass. “We had taken no-objection certificate from different government departments before commencing the work. Now, the pipeline will have to be shifted from the area as one metro station will come up near NIT-P while the tier II of double-decker road will end near Patna Science College. The agencies who are working on these two projects will shift the pipeline from left plank to right or the extreme left,” he said.
A PMRCL official said they have to bear the additional cost of shifting the pipeline for construction of underground metro stations at PMCH and Patna University and its network under Corridor II. “The project is likely to get delayed as it requires a lot of time to shift these utilities,” he added.
The metro rail project had faced multiple hurdles in the past, including land acquisition and funds crunch.
A BRPNNL official, however, said the cost of shifting of utilities has been added in the double-decker project and as per the requirement, the agency has been relocating the utilities. “We have started shifting the utilities, including pipeline and electric cables. Construction of piles has last started simultaneously. The construction work has been going between Khazanchi Road and Science College,” said Khurshid Karim, senior project manager of BRPNNL.
