Prayagraj: The Public Works Department (PWD) has started constructing pontoon bridges for the upcoming Magh Mela, beginning with Old GT bridge in Daraganj.The construction of the temporary bridge began on Thursday after the executing agency performed a traditional bhoomi pujan. The nine pontoon bridges planned for Magh Mela 2027 are scheduled to be completed by Dec 31.The nine bridges will include Mahavir, Triveni, Gangoli Shivala, Old GT, Kali Sadak, Nagvasuki, Bhardwaj and two bridges on the Arail side. Unlike last year, no pontoon bridge will be constructed across Ganga at Phaphamau. Two bridges had been provided there during the previous Magh Mela to facilitate traffic towards Lucknow and Prayagraj.PWD executive engineer Surjeet Singh said the two bridges proposed at Arail will compensate for the removal of the Phaphamau bridges. The change has been planned in view of the traffic arrangements and the completion of the six-lane bridge between Stanley Road and Malaka Harhar which will handle the traffic coming from Lucknow, Sultanpur and Ayodhya. One lane of the new bridge is expected to open this month itself, while the second lane is scheduled to become operational by the end of Dec.“The nine pontoon bridges are part of the broader expansion planned for Magh Mela 2027. Preparatory plans include increasing the mela area from about 844 hectares to 900-925 hectares and the number of sectors from seven to eight,” said deputy mela adhikari Vivek Shukla. Two of the nine pontoon bridges are planned on the Arail side, marking an expansion of connectivity towards that part of the mela area.The pontoon bridges will provide crucial temporary connectivity across Ganga and help pilgrims and Kalpvasis move between different parts of the mela area. Their construction is being taken up well in advance as the temporary mela city requires roads, bridges and other infrastructure to be established on the riverbed after the floodwaters recede.
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