Patna: The nearly 56-year-old Tuntuniya railway overbridge (ROB) in Samastipur town was closed from Monday until Aug 15 for urgent repairs after being declared structurally vulnerable. The closure of the bridge, which connects the two halves of the town and serves as a key gateway to Mithilanchal, is expected to cause traffic congestion. Pedestrian movement has also been prohibited to facilitate repairs.Built in 1970, the 19-pillar bridge carries traffic towards Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur and the Nepal border. Busy railway lines on the Samastipur-Darbhanga and Samastipur-Muzaffarpur sections run beneath it.According to the administration, the bridge’s expansion joints, which connect the slab and girders and absorb stress caused by temperature changes and heavy traffic, have deteriorated significantly and need replacement.Sadar SDO Dilip Kumar said all administrative preparations had been completed and barricades installed on both sides of the bridge. “Bus arrangements for passengers travelling towards Begusarai and Rosera have been made at Housing Board Maidan. Vehicles from Rosera heading towards Muzaffarpur will be diverted via Kanhaiya Chowk, Jitwarpur Bullechak Railway Gumti, Mahadev Chowk, Sant Kabir College and Mohanpur Road,” he said.Vehicles can also access NH-28 from Mahadev Chowk. Commuters travelling between the collectorate/Mohanpur area and Samastipur College or the block office will be routed through Atern Chowk Railway Gumti, Sonelal Dhala, St Paul School and Hasanpur Road.Buses for Muzaffarpur and Patna will operate from Karpuri bus stand, while services for Darbhanga will run from Mathurapur. Dilip Kumar said a one-way traffic system had been introduced and police personnel deployed on diversion routes to ensure smooth traffic movement and prevent outside vehicles from entering the city.
