Prayagraj: A key rail overbridge (ROB) linking GT Road to Khusrobagh and Lukerganj will be closed for traffic from April 10 as authorities prepare to replace the aging structure with a new bridge on the busy Howrah-Delhi rail route.“The existing bridge near Panni-Ki-Tanki has become structurally weak and will be dismantled. Road traffic will be completely stopped on this stretch from the notified date, and commuters should use alternative routes while following traffic diversions issued by police,” said chief public relations officer of North Central Railway (NCR), Shashikant Tripathi.The demolition of the 850m-long structure is expected to begin between May 15 and 20 and will take around two months to complete. The project for constructing the new ROB is scheduled to start in May 2026 and is targeted for completion by May 2028.Officials said the work will be jointly carried out by the State Bridge Corporation and NCR at an outlay of Rs 51 crore. Also, Rs 50 lakh has been earmarked for dismantling the old structure.The bridge, originally built by the public works department in 1962 and later handed over to the bridge corporation in 1969, has been in poor condition for the past few years. The movement of heavy vehicles was already banned.Project manager Rohit Mishra said the reconstruction will be carried out in phases, with demolition and new construction progressing simultaneously from the Lukerganj side. Once completed, the new ROB is expected to improve traffic movement and enhance safety on this busy corridor.
