Motihari Commuters Stranded as Key Flyover Project Drags On
For the residents of Motihari, commuting through the city has turned into an exhausting ordeal. The Chhatauni bypass, widely regarded as one of the busiest corridors in the region, has become synonymous with traffic congestion due to a severely delayed infrastructure project. A massive flyover, budgeted at approximately 76 crore INR, has been under construction for years with no end in sight. As a result, local residents and long-distance travelers are subjected to grueling traffic jams every single day.
Crucial Transit Route Between Muzaffarpur, Betiya, and Nepal Severely Affected
The Chhatauni bypass serves as a vital artery, handling thousands of vehicles daily heading towards Muzaffarpur, Betiya, Narkatiaganj, and even across the border into Nepal. The sluggish pace of construction has turned this highly active junction into a bottleneck, where massive queues of vehicles are a common sight. Commuters report that minor distances that should take just a few minutes often end up taking anywhere between one to two hours. Local residents accuse the construction agency of sheer negligence, pointing out that while the completed flyover could permanently resolve the city's worst traffic issues, the current state of affairs offers only daily hardship.
A Detailed Look at the 76-Crore Infrastructure Layout
The ambitious project was designed to completely revolutionize the traffic flow in Motihari. According to specifications, the flyover spans a length of around 800 meters, starting from near the Chhatauni police station, passing through the main intersection, and ending at the RK Petrol Pump. The flyover itself will be 21 meters wide. Beneath the elevated structure, extensive planning has been detailed to facilitate smoother transit:
- To streamline traffic heading towards the market, bus stand, and Cinema Chowk, a 30-meter-wide lane is being developed directly under the bridge.
- Two additional 15-meter-wide lanes will run along both sides of the main highway, allowing light and heavy vehicles traveling towards Muzaffarpur and Betiya to bypass the central congestion.
- Parallel service lanes, each measuring 7.5 meters in width, are also being built on both sides of the flyover.
Pedestrian Safety and Drainage Infrastructure
The construction plan also addresses the safety and convenience of pedestrians and local shopkeepers. Sections measuring approximately 10.5 meters wide next to the service lanes will be paved with durable paver blocks. To prevent seasonal waterlogging, a 1.5-meter-wide drainage system is being constructed. Safety slabs will be placed over these drains to prevent any accidental falls or mishaps. While residents agree that this flyover will completely transform Motihari's urban landscape once completed, they continue to ask how much longer this 76-crore INR project will remain in limbo.
