JAMSHEDPUR: A delay by the state drinking water and sanitation department in shifting pipelines and a drainage system near Dimna Chowk has led to the four-laning work of the 17-km stretch on NH-33 between Saherbera and Dimna Chowk to lie in limbo for years. The project was started in 2013 and was supposed to be completed by 2020 after it missed its 2019 deadline.
“Once the pipelines are shifted, it will take just 60 days to complete the small patch between Paridih and Dimna Chowk,” said Vikas Singh, an official of K K Builders, the agency which is executing the work.
“Despite repeated repairs of a faulty construction of the drainage system, the 1.5-km stretch often gets waterlogged and thus it has not been made mortorable so far,” he said.
Superintendent engineer of the drinking water and sanitation department, Shishir Soren said, “We have sent an estonate to the urban development department and are waiting for the response.”
Meanwhile, BJP leader Vikas Singh said, “Once the bypolls are over, we will take out a padyatra to Raj Bhavan and apprise Governor Draupadi Murmu about the issue.”
Earlier on October 14, locals of Baliguma, Mango and Paridih organised a padyatra from Paridih to the deputy commissioner’s office to submit a letter over the delay in the construction work.
NHAI project director Prabhat Kumar, who had visited the city earlier in July this year to take stock of the road-widening work, had assured of adding pace to the construction work to meet the deadline.
“The road between Ranchi and Kolkata on NH-33 is a lifeline for the people of Jharkhand, Bengal, Odisha and Bihar, but despite our repeated pleas and representations, the road-widening work is not complete,” said former president of Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Suresh Sonthalia.