Central funds to end NH-33 pothole peril
Jamshedpur, Feb. 2: Commuters can hope for a smooth ride on National Highway (NH) 33, at least on a part of it. The Jamshedpur division has received Rs 10 crore from the Centre to rebuild the stretch between Rangamati and Jamshedpur.
Senior officials of the road construction department (NH division) said the funds would be used to fill potholes and make the stretch motorable.
The executive engineer of the division Ramesh Rai said they have received the funds for the NH-33 overhaul. The department has floated a tender for the construction work, which is expected to be complete in the next few months. “The tender has not been allotted to any contractor yet. Repair work would be carried out at a cost of Rs 38.15 lakh,” an official said.
Senior officials of the department said the stretch between 198km-208km, 213km-222km and 233km-234km would be repaired through the fund. “A few days ago, we had assigned the task of repairing these sections to various contractors. These are still in bad shape and the contractors have to fill the potholes,” said Rai.
Moreover, the department has also floated a tender to repair the stretch between Dalma and Pardih in Jamshedpur.
Rai pointed that a major portion of the NH-33 had been motorable and only a few sections need immediate attention — specially the stretch between Dalma to Pardih. “We would use funds under the non-plan expenditure to repair this section soon,” Rai said.
Heavy traffic on NH-33 has resulted in its wear and tear. A survey conducted by the NH division last year revealed that 7,500 commercial vehicles ply on the road each day.
To improve on the state of roads, the Jamshedpur division has sought to work on National Highway 6 as well. “We have sent a proposal to the central government to four-lane National Highway 6, which lies in Jharkhand. The four-laning is complete in Bengal and Orissa. Once the 5km stretch between Darisole and Jamsola is four-laned, it will improve the state of highways in Jharkhand,” said Rai.
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