CATTLE SHED PERSIT UNDER RAILWAY BRIDGE FOR YEARS

CATTLE SHED PERSIT UNDER RAILWAY BRIDGE FOR YEARS

26-MAY-ENG 10

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------While the district administration is continuously conducting operations to remove encroachments within the city, no initiative has yet been taken regarding the encroachments sprawling beneath the city's most vital railway overbridge. The situation is such that the cattle sheds, which have been operating under the bridge for years, are not only obstructing traffic but also posing a serious threat to the structural integrity of the bridge itself.

Located near Western Gumti, the railway overbridge serves as a crucial thoroughfare for the city and its neighboring districts. Every day, thousands of vehicles—along with a large number of pedestrians—traverse this bridge. It also serves as a primary route for vehicles traveling to and from Buxar and the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Despite this, no action has been taken to remove the cattle sheds that have been operating beneath the bridge for years. The shed operators are utilizing the bridge's walls and pillars to mold cow-dung cakes, a practice that is causing the bridge's condition to deteriorate steadily. Locals report that the presence of these cattle sheds has narrowed the roadway, leading to frequent traffic jams.

The accumulation of cow dung and filth within the cattle sheds has become a major nuisance for residents in the vicinity. Frequent altercations between passersby and the shed operators have become a common occurrence. Locals lament that—whether during municipal corporation elections, Assembly polls, or Lok Sabha elections—politicians invariably promise to resolve this issue; yet, once the elections are over, the situation remains exactly as it was before.

According to experts, the constant exposure of the bridge's pillars to moisture and accumulated filth is adversely affecting their structural strength. If timely action is not taken, a major tragedy could occur one day.

The Western Gumti railway overbridge was constructed in the 1980s, while its approach roads were inaugurated in 2006. Since then, numerous complaints have been raised regarding the increasing pressure on the bridge and the encroachments spreading beneath it; however, a resolution to the problem remains a distant reality. Local residents are demanding that the administration, with immediate effect, remove the cattle sheds from beneath the bridge and completely clear the passage, so that traffic flow remains smooth and the structural integrity of the bridge is preserved.