Hazaribag: The vacant stretch near Singhani bypass overbridge on the busy Ranchi-Patna highway (NH-33) is set for a makeover, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) undertaking plantation and development work to give the area a cleaner and more organised appearance.NHAI officials said the first phase involves clearing the plot, preparing the land for plantation and marking out areas for orderly use. The initiative follows repeated complaints about encroachments and unauthorised activities on vacant land near the overbridge.Officials said such activities close to the carriageway were affecting traffic movement and increasing the risk of accidents. The stretch has now been cleared of encroachments and is being developed in a planned manner.The project aims to create a green belt between the highway and the adjoining land by plantation and improving the roadside area. The development is also expected to ensure better maintenance of the land and make the improvement clearly visible to commuters travelling along the bypass.NHAI project director Ashutosh Kumar said efforts were being made to provide travellers with a cleaner and better roadside environment. He added that a facility where commuters could stop briefly and take a break may also be developed at the site in the future.The authority has appealed to residents not to tether cattle, occupy vacant highway land or store goods along the roadside. Such activities, officials said, could create safety hazards and disrupt traffic.A local said the stretch, once associated with encroachments and misuse, could eventually emerge as a clean, green and well-organised roadside corridor for travellers and nearby residents.
