Marine Drive to get green makeover under Samagra Udyan Yojana | Patna News – Times of India
Patna: Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDC) is all set to implement the ‘Samagra Udyan Yojana’ with the pre-bid recently opened for agencies. Under the project, an area of 7 km along the Ganga, beside J P Ganga Path, commonly known as Marine Drive, will be developed into a green zone. The Samagra Udyan project promises to redefine the city’s charm with lush greenery, serene walking paths, and vibrant attractions, becoming a haven for nature lovers, tourists, and locals alike.One of the main attractions of the project is the development of Mahila Haat, where women entrepreneurs will be provided a place to sell their homemade products. Being built in two phases, the budget for the first phase is approximately Rs 387 crore, starting from Digha to Sabhyata Dwar near Gandhi Maidan, with BSRDCL serving as the nodal agency.According to the managing director of BSRDCL, Arun Kumar, “The technical pre-bid for the project was issued on May 20, while it will be opened on May 26. The project will feature a riverfront promenade, gardens, a butterfly park, food courts, walking and cycling tracks, and large parking facilities. Notably, 90% of the total land will be dedicated to greenery and open spaces, with nearly one lakh herbs and other saplings being planted across 49.7 hectares of land.”The butterfly garden will provide educational opportunities for children and nature enthusiasts while promoting local biodiversity awareness. It will be developed opposite Sabhyata Dwar. The eight-hectare ecological zone in the area will incorporate a distinctive theme based on 27 traditional astronomical constellations, linking visitors to natural and cultural heritage.A 6 km pedestrian pathway will be constructed alongside the Ganga, ensuring safe passage for walkers. Additionally, a dedicated cycling track, made of brick-soling, will accommodate environmentally conscious visitors. “The project also includes a ‘Mahila Haat’ in the second phase, providing permanent stalls for women entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products throughout the year. The initiative will register and select women business owners from across the state.Eco-materials like terracotta will be used in the construction of the haat. The purpose is to build a completely eco-friendly environment with heat resistance facilities for the women entrepreneurs,” said a BSRDCL official.He added that the beauty of J P Ganga Path would be enhanced with this project. “There will be several benefits, including environmental protection, reduction in pollution, and development of tourist facilities. Besides, the entire area will also be safeguarded from encroachment.”The infrastructure plans also include parking facilities to accommodate over 13,000 two-wheelers and 4,000 four-wheelers, addressing the state capital’s growing parking requirements.
