Jamshedpur’s Pardih-Baliguma stretch of NH-33 is facing renewed dust pollution and dangerous potholes, prompting Jamshedpur (West) MLA Saryu Roy to direct the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to begin immediate remedial work. The complaints relate to the elevated corridor construction between Hotel City Inn at Pardih and Baliguma, where residents say road conditions have deteriorated for the third time in nine months.
Roy inspected the stretch on Wednesday and directed NHAI project director Amit Roshan to ensure regular water sprinkling to control dust. He also instructed the agency to repair potholes properly rather than filling them with soil or loose material. NHAI officials assured him that remedial work would begin within two days.
Residents and traders living or working along the route said the construction-related dust was entering homes and shops and affecting commuters. Mahesh Sonthalia, a resident and regular commuter, said the dust was affecting families, traders and people travelling through the corridor. Muktar Khan, who operates an automobile parts shop at Kumrum on the Dimna-Pardih road, held the agency executing the elevated corridor project responsible for the conditions.
Sanjay Dubey, a resident of Transport Nagar, said the road becomes more hazardous during the monsoon because water can make the potholes difficult for commuters to see, increasing the risk of accidents. The stretch is being used by continuous traffic while construction activity continues, adding to dust generation and road-surface deterioration.
NHAI officials attributed the intensity of the dust to the prevailing heat, which was drying the soil quickly. They also cited continuous traffic as a factor worsening dust generation. The latest intervention follows similar complaints raised by residents in February. In April, angry locals reportedly tied construction machinery with rope and detained workers during a protest over the conditions.
The affected road forms part of the 10.21-km Pardih-Bhilaipahari elevated four-lane corridor, a project estimated to cost Rs 936 crore. Construction began in July 2022, and the corridor is scheduled for completion by March 2027. Until the project is completed, the immediate focus remains on the condition of the existing carriageway and the measures being taken to keep it usable for daily traffic.
The next stated milestone is the start of pothole repairs and regular water sprinkling within two days of the MLA’s inspection, according to the assurance given by NHAI officials.
