July 3rd marked a significant day for Palamu and Garhwa districts of Jharkhand. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for two national highway projects in Garhwa, with a total cost of ₹2460 crore. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including State Minister Radhakrishna Kishore, MP Palamu Vishnu Dayal Ram, MP Kali Charan Singh, and local legislators. These projects are designed to improve transportation, boost the region’s economy, enhance trade, and promote tourism.
The 22.73-kilometer-long 4-lane road on National Highway-39, from Shankha to Khajuri, constructed at a cost of ₹1129.48 crore, was inaugurated by Gadkari in Hur Village, Garhwa. This road connects Palamu and Garhwa districts and provides direct access to the borders of Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The new road is expected to reduce travel time significantly, from one hour to just 20 minutes. It will also alleviate traffic congestion for locals and stimulate economic activities.
Furthermore, Gadkari laid the foundation stone for a new road from the Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border to Gumla. This road is a crucial part of the Raipur-Dhanbad Economic Corridor. The construction of this route will bypass traffic from densely populated areas like Rupsera, Raidi, Silam, and Gumla, thereby reducing traffic pressure on existing roads and towns. It is also expected to improve road safety and boost commerce, trade, and tourism, while strengthening the region’s cultural identity.
These projects are poised to improve connectivity, generate employment opportunities, facilitate market access for local businesses, and promote tourism in the Palamu-Garhwa region. Gadkari emphasized that these roads would not only ease travel but also propel Jharkhand’s development. He expressed confidence that the central government is committed to making Jharkhand a developed state.
In addition to these projects, Gadkari announced several other road projects for Jharkhand, including the inauguration of the Ratu Road Elevated Corridor in Ranchi, which is expected to ease traffic congestion in the capital. The total cost of these projects exceeds ₹6300 crore, further strengthening Jharkhand’s road infrastructure. The Shankha-Khajuri 4-lane road and the Raipur-Dhanbad Economic Corridor are expected to not only improve transportation but also contribute significantly to the region’s economic and social development, marking a new beginning for Jharkhand’s progress.