Arjun Munda urges Gadkari to fast-track Khunti bypass, other Jharkhand highway projects
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK New Delhi, July 15: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda on Tuesday met Union Minister for Road Transport…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
New Delhi, July 15: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda on Tuesday met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to seek faster implementation of key national highway and road infrastructure projects in the state, with particular emphasis on the long-delayed Khunti bypass.
During the meeting at Gadkari’s official residence in New Delhi, the two leaders reviewed the progress of several ongoing and proposed highway projects in Jharkhand and discussed measures to accelerate their execution.
Munda stressed the need for early construction of the Khunti bypass, saying the project would significantly ease traffic congestion in the town, improve road safety and provide smoother connectivity for commuters.
He said the bypass would also play a vital role in the socio-economic development of Khunti and neighbouring tribal areas by improving connectivity, facilitating trade and creating new opportunities for economic growth.
The meeting also included discussions on expediting other pending national highway projects across Jharkhand to strengthen the state’s road infrastructure.
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State-Level Clearances Delay Project
Despite the Centre’s push for the project, the Khunti bypass remains stuck in the pre-construction stage.
According to officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), work on the project has not begun because the land acquisition and forest clearance processes, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Jharkhand government, are yet to be completed.
The delay has persisted for nearly two years since the project’s foundation stone was laid.
Cost Escalation a Growing Concern
NHAI officials said the prolonged delay is leading to a steady increase in the project’s estimated cost.
They pointed out that the project cannot be re-tendered until the pending land acquisition and forest clearances are completed, further pushing back the construction timeline.
With the clearances still awaited, the much-anticipated bypass continues to remain on paper, even as residents of Khunti face increasing traffic congestion and road safety concerns.
