Kanderbera-Domuhani Dobo four-lane project stalled near Jamshedpur due to NOC delays from forest department 

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur: The construction of the four-lane road in Dobo from Domuhani Sonari New Bridge to Kanderbera on NH-33 has been stalled for the past four months due to bureaucratic delays and disputes between the Road Construction Department and the Forest Department. This critical project, which aims to ease traffic congestion for over 10,000 daily commuters, has come to a standstill, causing significant inconvenience to residents and travellers, especially those commuting to Ranchi.

The plan, initiated in September 2024, sought to expand the existing 7.8 km two-lane road into a four-lane highway at a cost of Rs 67 crore. Construction officially began on October 3, 2024, with a completion deadline of 18 months, but work has been stalled for the last four months. The primary reason for this delay is the Forest Department’s reluctance to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a 1.2 km stretch of forest land, which includes a mountainous area.

According to Ashok Kumar Rajak, Executive Engineer of the Road Construction Department, an NOC application was submitted to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Seraikela-Kharsawan, but permission has not yet been granted. The Forest Department had planted approximately 1,500 saplings five years ago along a 6 km stretch of the road and without clearance, these trees cannot be removed or relocated, further stalling construction.

The existing two-lane road is 15 meters wide, with a 10-meter blacktop surface and 2.5-meter flanks on each side. The proposed four-lane road will be 23 meters wide, featuring two 9-meter lanes and a 4-meter divider. Additionally, electricity poles along the route need to be shifted and the Jharkhand State Electricity Distribution Corporation Limited has been approached to provide cost estimates for this process.

Saba Alam, In-charge DFO of Seraikela-Kharsawan, assured that he would look into the delay and ensure the NOC is issued promptly, stating, “Road widening is a matter of public interest and if an application has been submitted, we will expedite the process.”

On the other hand, Ashok Kumar Rajak, Executive Engineer of the Road Construction Department, Seraikela, remains optimistic, stating, “The project has been delayed due to the Forest Department’s delay in issuing the NOC and permitting tree relocation. However, we are committed to completing the four-lane road within the stipulated period.”

Until these administrative hurdles are resolved, commuters will continue to face poor road conditions and increased traffic congestion on this crucial highway.