Patna: The deadline for completing the ambitious double-decker flyover on the congested Ashok Rajpath stretch has been extended once again. Initially slated for completion by Jan this year, the Rs 422-crore project is now expected to open to the public in the first week of June.This is the fifth extension of the project, which is being implemented by Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam Limited (BRPNNL). Engineers attributed the delay to a range of challenges encountered during construction, pushing the timeline back by five months. While the 2.2-km-long flyover from Kargil Chowk to Science College is structurally complete, extensive repair work is still ongoing on the grade-level (existing) road.In addition, drainage pipes are being installed along the excavated stretch.A senior BRPNNL engineer said, “The deadline to complete the road repair is May 31 and the project will be inaugurated by CM Nitish Kumar in the first week of June. The flyover is ready with all the finishing touches, including lighting, railings, sound barriers, thermoplastic markings, traffic signs and landscaping. The repair work on the existing road will be completed within a week.”The flyover features a dual-tier structure. The first tier, measuring 1.5km, will cater to one-way traffic from Patna College towards B N College. The second tier, 2.2km in length, will support one-way movement from Kargil Chowk to Science College. Both levels will have 7.5-metre-wide traffic lanes.The flyover will have several access points. One will link to the proposed multi-level car parking facilities of Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) while another ramp near Patna University’s Central Library – part of tier II – will provide direct access to J P Ganga Pathway at Krishna Ghat.Outlining the key challenges, the engineer said, “Drainage work is underway on a single lane from Bishop House to the Public Health Institute and from Kulhariya Complex to Kargil Chowk. Heavy traffic in this commercial zone is another obstacle. Additional delays arose due to land acquisition issues linked to the metro rail project, the road-over-drain project near Anta Ghat and a one-metre land acquisition delay from the church.“He added, “The civic body has completed drainage work between Kulhariya Complex and Kargil Chowk, and we will now begin road repairs on this stretch, expected to finish within four to five days. However, between Bishop House and the Public Health Institute, work is stalled due to the pending land requirement. A manhole will be constructed, and we will repair the road accordingly.”Commenting on traffic arrangements, he said, “We requested the district administration to allow one-way traffic from Kulhariya to Kargil Chowk. In return, traffic from Kargil Chowk could be diverted through the lane near Christ Church and St Joseph’s Convent High School. But nothing was done.”In addition, 1 to 1.5-metre-wide footpaths are being constructed on both sides for pedestrian use. The repair work from NIT More to PMCH is complete, except for the portion affected by ongoing metro rail construction near the hospital.The space beneath the flyover will be utilised for vehicle parking.