Bhagalpur: With the upcoming Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Mahaparv festivals in mind, leaders of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have urged that the Vikramshila Ganga Bailey Bridge remain operational for public use at least until Chhath Puja. A letter has been sent to the Governor through Sub-Divisional Officer Rohit Kardam, requesting necessary directives on the matter.

RJD leader Shailesh Yadav stated in the letter that the Vikramshila Ganga Bailey Bridge is a crucial link connecting the northern and southern regions of the Ganga river. It facilitates the movement of millions of people from Bhagalpur, Naugachia, and about ten surrounding districts. He highlighted that closing the bridge would cause significant hardship to the general public, including farmers, traders, students, patients, and salaried individuals.

The letter notes that Durga Puja is on October 21, Diwali on November 8, and Chhath Mahaparv on November 16. During these festivals, a large number of people travel to their homes and villages. Especially during Chhath, there is a surge in devotees at the Ganga ghats. RJD leader Gautam Pritam also mentioned that the letter addresses the potential rise in Ganga water levels and flood risks during September-October. In such a scenario, using alternative routes would be difficult and risky for people. The closure of the bridge is also feared to increase traffic congestion and accident risks on alternative routes.

Farmers from the Naugachia region regularly transport milk, green vegetables, and other agricultural products to Bhagalpur city and surrounding areas. The closure of the bridge would severely impact the supply of agricultural products and farmers' incomes. The RJD leaders suggested prioritizing the bridge's safety by strictly adhering to technical inspections, load limits, speed limits, and traffic control standards. They also proposed controlling heavy vehicle movement if necessary, to maintain essential and limited traffic. District President Alakh Niranjan Paswan, Sanjay Kumar Mandal, Kapil Dev Mandal, Himanshu Yadav, and Kedar Sharma were also present on the occasion.