Prayagraj: In a major relief for commuters facing frequent traffic congestion on the Phaphamau bridge (Chandrashekhar Azad Setu) over the Ganga while entering and exiting Prayagraj, the district administration has begun efforts to build a new bridge parallel to the existing one.Thousands of vehicles cross the Phaphamau bridge every day, with commuters travelling from cities including Lucknow, Ayodhya, Faizabad, Pratapgarh, Sultanpur, Gonda, Basti, Bahraich, Gorakhpur, Rae Bareli and Unchahar frequently facing severe inconvenience due to the bridge’s limited width, which often results in traffic congestion.The administration plans to send the proposal to the state govt, following which it will be forwarded to NHAI for approval and preparation of a detailed project report (DPR).Once approved, the bridge is expected to improve connectivity for residents of Gangapar and northern Prayagraj and also help manage traffic during major religious events, including Magh Mela and Kumbh 2031.Officials said the proposed bridge will be built on the upstream side of the existing Phaphamau bridge. The present bridge, constructed nearly 50 years ago, is a two-lane structure that is no longer adequate to accommodate the rapidly growing traffic volume in Prayagraj.With the number of vehicles in the Sangam City increasing significantly over the years, traffic snarls on the bridge have become a regular occurrence, particularly during peak office and school hours. The situation becomes even more chaotic when a vehicle breaks down on the bridge, causing traffic jams that stretch for several kilometres on both sides. Residents and daily commuters travelling between Phaphamau, Soraon, Jhunsi and other city areas have repeatedly demanded the construction of an additional bridge to ease the growing traffic burden.Officials said the new bridge would also reduce dependence on the temporary pontoon bridge constructed every year during Magh Mela near the old Phaphamau bridge. Large amounts are spent annually on the pontoon bridge, which remains operational for only a few months.Meanwhile, several other bridge projects are also underway in Prayagraj, including the six-lane Ganga bridge, parallel bridges near Shastri Bridge, and new links under the inner ring road and Ram Van Gaman Path projects.
