Here's the English translation of the news article:
Massive Traffic Jam on Vikramshila Bailey Bridge Leaves Commuters Stranded; 20-Minute Journey Turns Into a 150-Minute Ordeal
Bhagalpur: Thousands of commuters faced severe hardship on Monday due to a massive traffic jam on the Vikramshila Bailey Bridge, which connects Bhagalpur and Naugachia. A journey that normally takes about 20 minutes across the 4.5-kilometre-long bridge stretched to nearly 150 minutes (two and a half hours). The congestion continued from around 10:00 a.m. until nearly midnight, causing long queues of vehicles and immense inconvenience for travelers. Under the scorching sun and intense heat, thousands of commuters endured a grueling experience while trying to cross the bridge.
The situation became so severe that many passengers got down from auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws midway and walked two to three kilometres to reach Bhagalpur. Patients travelling for medical treatment, elderly citizens, women, and children were among those who suffered the most. The bridge remained heavily congested throughout the day, creating chaos and disruption.
A 20-Minute Journey Becomes a Two-and-a-Half-Hour Wait
Every day, thousands of people use the Vikramshila Bailey Bridge to travel between Bhagalpur and Naugachia. Under normal conditions, crossing the bridge takes around 20 minutes. However, on Monday, commuters were forced to spend nearly two and a half hours stuck in traffic.
Long queues of buses, trucks, cars, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, ambulances, and motorcycles stretched for several kilometres. Many drivers switched off their engines and waited patiently for traffic to move.
Scorching Heat Adds to the Misery
The intense heat and humidity made the traffic situation even more difficult for commuters. Many people began feeling unwell after remaining stranded inside vehicles for extended periods.
Children and elderly passengers suffered the most from the extreme weather. Several travelers reported running out of drinking water while waiting in traffic, making the situation even more uncomfortable.
Many Forced to Walk
Frustrated by the prolonged traffic jam, many passengers chose to leave their vehicles and walk the remaining distance to Bhagalpur.
Office employees, students, traders, and other commuters were seen walking several kilometres under the blazing sun in an attempt to reach their destinations on time. Many said that walking was faster than waiting inside stationary vehicles.
Patients Face the Greatest Hardship
The traffic congestion particularly affected patients travelling to hospitals in Bhagalpur for medical treatment. Many feared missing scheduled medical appointments due to the delay.
Some families even helped patients out of vehicles and escorted them on foot toward hospitals. Elderly people and women also had to walk long distances in the intense heat, significantly increasing their discomfort.
Relatives expressed concern over the lack of alternative arrangements for medical emergencies during such situations.
Business and Daily Life Disrupted
The prolonged traffic jam disrupted not only passenger movement but also commercial activities. Many traders failed to reach their businesses on time, while goods transport vehicles remained stranded for hours, delaying deliveries.
Office workers, students, and employees experienced significant delays in reaching workplaces, schools, colleges, and other institutions.
Congestion Continues for Hours
According to eyewitnesses, the traffic jam began around 10:00 a.m. and persisted until nearly 12:00 midnight. Throughout the day, vehicles moved only at a crawling pace.
Although traffic appeared to improve occasionally, the continuous arrival of heavy vehicles repeatedly worsened the congestion.
Police and Administration Step In
Traffic police and local administrative officials reached the bridge after receiving information about the situation. Officers worked to regulate traffic and gradually clear the long lines of vehicles.
However, due to the large number of vehicles and the limited capacity of the Bailey Bridge, it took several hours before traffic movement began returning to normal.
Public Expresses Frustration
Commuters criticized the recurring traffic problems on the Vikramshila Bailey Bridge. They stated that traffic jams have become a regular occurrence and demanded a permanent solution from the authorities.
Residents urged the administration to improve traffic management, regulate the movement of heavy vehicles during peak hours, and deploy additional traffic personnel to prevent similar situations.
Experts Recommend Long-Term Measures
Traffic experts believe that increasing traffic volume on the Vikramshila Bailey Bridge requires the implementation of a modern traffic management system. They also recommended restricting the movement of heavy vehicles during peak hours and encouraging the use of alternative routes whenever possible.
According to experts, timely intervention is essential to prevent such situations from becoming even more serious in the future.
Demand for a Permanent Solution
Local residents and social organizations have urged the administration to implement long-term measures to resolve the persistent congestion on the bridge. They pointed out that thousands of people rely on the bridge every day, and recurring traffic jams negatively affect public health, business activities, and daily life.
They also called for dedicated emergency lanes, improved traffic monitoring, and better management during peak travel hours.
Monday's massive traffic jam on the Vikramshila Bailey Bridge turned a routine commute into a major ordeal for thousands of travelers. A journey that usually takes just 20 minutes extended to nearly 150 minutes, forcing many commuters to walk several kilometres under the scorching sun. Patients, elderly citizens, women, and children were the worst affected. The congestion continued until late at night, once again highlighting the urgent need for improved traffic management and a long-term solution to the recurring traffic problems on the Vikramshila Bailey Bridge.
