Jamshedpur: Locals on Sunday staged a protest at the NHAI site office in Mango demanding immediate mitigation of the severe pollution caused by the elevated corridor construction between Pardih and Baliguma stretch of National Highway 33.The agitators tied the construction machines with a long rope and also took the workers hostage for over an hour and stopped the construction, aiming to build pressure on the agency officials to take corrective action.The project-executing company, HG Infra Engineering Ltd, officials rushed to the demonstration site and sprinkled water on the under-construction corridor, following which, the protestors untied the rope of the construction machines and also set the workers free.“Repeated pleas made to the NHAI and the construction company officials fell on deaf ears. The alarming situation compelled us to hit the streets,” said Vikas Kumar, who led the agitation.Soon a delegation will give a representation at the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board’s regional office to examine the air quality of the area. Due to the thick layer of the dust, people moving on the road confront visibility problems, residents alleged.“Shopkeepers, restaurants, eateries are facing problems due to the pollution,” said Shiv Kumar.In Feb, local MLA Saryu Roy inspected the construction site on receiving similar complaints and directed the NHAI officials to take immediate steps to address the issues.NHAI project director, Jamshedpur, Vijay Kumar, said that due to the intense summer heat, the soil is drying quickly and the movement of vehicles on the lane has further augmented the woes. “Frequency of sprinkling water will be increased on the stretch on a daily basis so that the soil remains wet,” Kumar said.The Parish-Bhilaipahari elevated four-lane corridor, which is a 10.21-km-long aerial bridge, is being built at a cost of Rs 936 crore. Connecting Kali mandir in Paridih to Bhilaipahari near Dimna on NH-33, the corridor is aimed at easing traffic congestion on the said lane of NH-33. The construction commenced in July 2022 and is scheduled to be completed in March 2027.NHAI project director, Jamshedpur, Vijay Kumar, said that due to the intense summer heat, the soil is drying quickly and the movement of vehicles on the lane has further augmented the woes
