NH-320 Widening Hit by Delay in Utility Shifting, Felling of Trees

DELAY in utility shifting and felling of trees between Jaraikela and Bondamunda has slowed down the widening work on the newly-declared National Highway-320 in Sundargarh district.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Rourkela

The National Highway Division (NHD) received around 80 per cent of land after removing acquisition hurdles on a major portion of the 25.450 km NH stretch from Jareikala in Bisra block to the stockyard of RSP at Bondamunda. Widening work on a stretch of 22.077 km started in October last year while the remaining 3.373 km patch was de-scoped from the project due to alignment objection at Bisra town and land issue for a road over-bridge (ROB) at Mahipani.

Sources said around ₹11 crore was deposited with Tata Power Western Odisha Distribution Ltd (TPWODL) for shifting of electrical utilities. Similarly, ₹3 crore was deposited with the Forest department for felling of 1,723 trees and compensatory afforestation.