Jharkhand to get Rs 5k cr for NH expansion

Ranchi: The Centre has sanctioned Rs 5,000 crore for the 847-km road project that will include the linking road between Deoghar and Basukinath in Santhal Pargana.
An official communiqué released by the CMO on Monday said the project will involve four-laning of NH-23 and NH-75, a four-lane project to connect the two pilgrimages. Sanjay Mitra, secretary to the Government of India in the ministry of road transport and highways, met chief minister Raghubar Das at his Delhi residence on Monday to discuss the details of the project, most of which will be executed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
The Centre has approved another four-laning project for NH-33 between Mahulia and Bahragora in Kolhan division.
The The four-laning of the road connecting Ranchi with Bero on NH-23 and Bijupara on NH-75 will cost NHAI Rs 852 crore.
The road between Hazaribag and Barhi will be allotted by the end of May and no deadline has been fixed for the project for Mahulia and Bahragora on NH-33.
When asked about the Ranchi-Jamshedpur road project that is lying incomplete for five years now, the central agency neither share work details nor gave reasons for the inordinate delay.
Das discussed about initiating the process of land acquisition for six-laning of road connecting Govindpur, Dhanbad and Chas in Bokaro and yet another road connecting Aurangabad in Bihar with Barwadda in Jharkhand. Once land acquisition starts, the Centre assured to issue work order for both the construction projects. State officials said Rs 180 crore out of Rs.500 Cr meant for compensation against land acquisition in Giridih, Hazaribag and Dhanbad has already been released.
During the meeting, Das stressed on the need for regular monitoring of projects.
Citing examples of some of the road projects that have suffered adversely due to inordinate delay, Das asked the central official to hold quarterly meeting. CM proposal was accepted by the officials of road transport and highway department and NHAI as well.
Annual plan of Rs 688 Cr has been approved by the state.