A damaged stretch of National Highway-32 near Chandil in Seraikela-Kharsawan. Picture by Srinivas

Jamshedpur, Sept. 12: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Jamshedpur division, has cracked its whip on government and private agencies for the poor condition of NH-32 and 33.

The division has slapped a fine of Rs 3.64 lakh against the drinking water and sanitation department, Seraikela, for flouting the National Highways Act. Similarly, a fine of Rs 4 lakh has been slapped on a private hotel owner in Bhilaipahari.

“All these agencies are responsible for waterlogging on the National Highway, which is the main reason behind the poor road conditions. If the problems are not solved, the culprit would be made to pay for the repair. We would also initiate action against people who dump slag on the potholes on the national highway,” said Ram Kumar Singh, the executive engineer of the division.

He said that two hand pumps of the drinking water and sanitation department, located along the NH-32 at Raghunathpur market, were responsible for waterlogging in that area.

“Similarly, the Jadhav Hotel at Bhilaipahari along NH-33 was found responsible for the damaged stretch near this hotel. The hotel owner was draining the water on the road, which is against the national highway norms,” said Singh, adding that several notices were sent to this hotel in the past for ensuring proper drainage of water. However, it failed to follow the rules.

The department, a couple of days ago, was also going to initiate action against those who had dumped slag on NH-33 near Khunti Bustee.

“The slag dumped on the road causes waterlogging. According to NH rules, no one, except the department is allowed to take up any kind of repair work on the road. Moreover, our work doubles when the actual repair has to be taken up by us. We first have to remove the slag before starting the repair work on the road,” added an official.

The division has started sending notices to the 35 private agencies who, they feel, are flouting norms along NH-32 and 33.

“The division is always blamed for the poor condition of the stretch, though overloaded vehicles and waterlogging due to irresponsible drainage are responsible for potholed roads. We cannot take action against overloaded vehicles but we are now going to ensure that everyone follows the NH Act,” Singh said.