Albert Ekka Chowk

Ranchi, Jan. 21: Chief minister Arjun Munda today approved proposals to build flyovers at all busy thoroughfares of the state capital, namely Albert Ekka Chowk, Sujata Chowk and Lalpur Chowk to try and ease traffic bottlenecks.

Munda also approved appointment of consultants to prepare feasibility reports so that the projects became functional at the earliest.

While Bangalore-based Secon Private Limited has been assigned the task to prepare the report for Albert Ekka Chowk flyover, Pune-based Suncon Engineers Private Limited will do so for the proposed flyovers at Sujata Chowk and Lalpur Chowk.

While Secon Private Limited will get Rs 30,96,500 as consultancy fees, Suncon Engineers Private Limited will get Rs 24,07,000 each, for the two flyovers. The consultants are expected to submit their reports by March 31.

“We want to begin groundwork at the very start of the new financial year. Detailed project reports will be finalised after getting the feasability reports. Our government is committed to improving civic amenities in the state, especially streamlining traffic movement,” Munda said.

These flyovers will be the first of their kind since the creation of Jharkhand. Ranchi has so far got only two new rail overbridges since it became a state capital in 2000. Another rail overbridge is coming up at Namkum. But so far little has been done to ease traffic movement in the city.

“Very few trains pass through the Ranchi-Lohardaga rail line. The rail overbridge at Kadru too failed to improve traffic situation. But the tardy progress of rail overbridge at Namkum has made the situation chaotic,” said a senior transport department official.

Munda claimed that everything would be completed smoothly.

Replying to a query, he said he would meet the Prime Minister on February 1 and request him to grace the Games. “We have already sent him an invitation letter. The President has verbally agreed to become the chief guest. A formal letter from Rashtrapati Bhavan is awaited,” Munda added.