Ranchi, Nov. 30: The state government is seriously pursuing two mega road projects, a six-lane expressway between Ranchi and Dhanbad via Bokaro and a Ranchi-Dhanbad-Jamshedpur industrial corridor, christened Golden Triangle, which chief minister Raghubar Das believes would open up new avenues of prosperity for those cut off from mainstream development.
Today, IDFC (Infrastructure Development Finance Company) made a presentation before the chief minister and senior government officials with preliminary alignment reports of the proposed expressway and Golden Triangle that it has prepared as adviser to the State Highways Authority of Jharkhand.
"The preliminary alignment report prepared by IDFC mentions details of alignments, roadside land to be acquired for the proposed six-lane expressway project and other issues. Once it is approved, the process of land acquisition will be started," explained Sameer Sinha, a superintending engineer-ranked official serving as member (technical) of the state highway authority.
Sinha's statement comes days after chief minister directed officials to begin the process of land acquisition for both projects at the earliest for work to start as soon as possible.
Traffic to Dhanbad is primarily on three routes: the primary one is via NH-33, ie, the Ranchi-Ramgarh-Hazaribagh road and then Gola-Petarwar-Bokaro road from Ramgarh; the second one is via the shorter Sikidiri route which is not a national highway but is preferred by many as it is less congested. The third route is via Purulia Road and then a detour from Chas.
The expressway between Ranchi and Dhanbad via Bokaro will be on the primary route.
As for Golden Triangle, Dhanbad is connected to Chandil through NH-33 (Ranchi-Jamshedpur road), which is barely 25km from Jamshedpur.
"The government is committed to developing a network of roads for smoother transportation. Moreover, existing roads will be strengthened and widened even as we make new expressways. The Golden Triangle will boost industrial and economic activities in nearby localities," Das told The Telegraph after the IDFC presentation.
Among those who saw the presentation along with the chief minister were his principal secretary Sanjay Kumar, his secretary Sunil Kumar Burnwal and road construction department principal secretary Rajbala Verma.
