State Urban Development and Road Construction department are jointly working over a proposed plan to construct a flyover on the stretch between Rajendra Chowk and Siramtoli of the capital city at a time when the fate of two big ticket projects of flyover construction sanctioned in the previous Government is hanging in balance.
Sources in the Government said discussion over the proposed flyover is going on secretary level as it has long been felt that a flyover on this stretch is required to end traffic snarl.
BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Mahesh Poddar raised doubt over capability of officials in executing this project.
“I don’t doubt the viability of this project. But, I am highly suspicious about the team that has floated this proposal. The government has changed but the team continues. The old road and flyover projects were left in lurch now they are misguiding the leadership by making proposals for a new flyover. They must be asked who will take responsibility for expenditure made in the projects that stand suspended on technical ground. We have seen the fate of Kantatoli flyover, Harmu flyover, elevated road at Ratu and eight lanes in Dhanbad,” Poddar said.
During the regime of the Raghubar Das government projects of two flyovers namely Kantatoli flyover and Harmu flyover were sanctioned.
President Ram Nath Kovind had laid the foundation stone of both the projects on November 15, 2017.
Jharkhand Urban Infrastructure Development Company Limited (JUIDCO) was appointed as the nodal agency for implementing both projects
As per the plan 900 meters long flyover had to be constructed at Kantatoli worth around Rs 192 crore. The flyover, being built on 3.9 acres of private land and 0.12 acre of government land. Tender of the project was bagged by the Modi Construction Company. The project was delayed due to several reasons including changes in the plan that also escalated the cost. Later on, the project was revised and the length of the flyover was increased by another 300 meters. Currently, it stands at Rs 257 crore.
“We don’t know in which way this project is moving and when it will be completed. We don’t know what will be the final shape of the project. Now we have been asked to increase the length of this flyover by another 800 meters so that it covers the stretch of up to Yogda Satsang Ashram at Bahu Bazaar. Thrice we floated a tender to hire consultant but no company has turned-up,” said an official of JUIDCO.
The proposed Rs 180-crore three-lane Harmu-Ratu flyover has been facing the same fate. As per the plan the 2.34km long flyover was set to rise at LPN Shahdeo Chowk on Kanke Road near the Raj Bhavan and plunge at Kartik Oraon Chowk in Harmu.
“Raj Bhavan has raised objection over the layout of the flyover that according to the Raj Bhavan will breach security of the Raj Bhavan. I don’t think that this project is going to materialise now,” said the official of JUIDCO.
“There is still the scope for a 2.5 km long elevated road at Ratu. We have been given to understand that the National Highway Authority of India will now take-up construction of elevated roads,” said the official.
