THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Jan 7: Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari today directed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to prioritize infrastructure projects and address any obstacles at the district level without delay. She emphasized that many projects are stalled due to minor issues, which unnecessarily increase costs. “This leads to a waste of resources and impacts the state adversely. With a little extra attention, these problems can be resolved at the district level itself,” she stated.
The Chief Secretary made these remarks while reviewing the progress of key projects in Jharkhand, including schemes under the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), construction of railway overbridges, and state road projects. The review highlighted that land acquisition, compensation disputes, forest clearance, and law-and-order issues are the primary reasons for delays.
NHAI Projects Worth ₹38,483 Crore Underway
Notably, NHAI is currently implementing projects worth ₹38,483 crore in the state. In addition, work is progressing on various railway overbridges and the expansion and widening of thousands of kilometres of state roads.
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During the review, it was revealed that delays in completing these projects are hindering the state’s ability to secure new road construction schemes from the Central Government. Land acquisition, compensation, forest clearance, and disputes remain the most significant challenges to timely project execution.
When asked for updates during the review meeting, the Deputy Commissioners assured the Chief Secretary that most of these obstacles would be resolved within the coming days or months. However, she made it clear that the timelines proposed by the DCs must be strictly adhered to. “The deadlines for resolving issues should be met without fail, and no extensions will be allowed,” she cautioned.
Ensure Coordination and Timely Solutions
The Chief Secretary further instructed the Deputy Commissioners to give top priority to infrastructure projects in their districts and monitor them continuously. She urged them to take strict action against individuals causing unnecessary delays. “Coordinate with all relevant departments to find solutions promptly and ensure that projects are completed on time. Law-and-order issues, forest clearances, or compensation payments must not be allowed to hinder progress,” she said.
High-Level Officials in Attendance
The review meeting was attended by Principal Secretary of the Road Construction Department Sunil Kumar, Secretary of the Revenue, Registration, and Land Reforms Department Chandrashekhar, and officials from NHAI and the Forest Department. All the concerned Deputy Commissioners joined the discussion via video conferencing.
The Chief Secretary stressed that resolving issues at the earliest would not only facilitate the completion of ongoing projects but also pave the way for securing new infrastructure development opportunities from the Central Government.
