Daltonganj: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has agreed in principle to construct two underpasses at Pokhraha and Jore in Palamu district under the change-of-scope (COS) provision on the Ranchi-Varanasi Greenfield Corridor, according to a press note issued by local MP Vishnu Dayal Ram on Sunday.The press note was issued after the MP’s office made public a letter dated Aug 31 from Union minister of state for road transport and highways Ajay Tamta.The letter said NHAI had inspected the need for the two underpasses sought by Ram in the Lok Sabha and was convinced of their utility. The MP had raised the issue under Rule 377 on July 23.According to the letter, a vehicular underpass will be built at Pokhraha and a light vehicular underpass at Jore.Sources said railway transmission lines would have to be raised to facilitate construction. Railways has agreed to the work and deposited Rs 3.43 crore with NHAI, they added. The underpasses may be completed by the end of this year if construction progresses smoothly, sources said.Residents of Pokhraha and Jore have been demanding the underpasses, claiming their absence has tripled the risk of accidents as vehicles travel at speeds of up to 80 kmph on the NH-39 stretch.
