Gumla: The 63.17-km Palma-Gumla stretch of NH-43, a key link to the proposed Raipur-Dhanbad Economic Corridor under the Bharatmala Pariyojana, has been opened to traffic, NHAI officials said during an exposure visit on Thursday.Built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,908.43 crore, the project is expected to reduce travel time, ease congestion and improve the movement of goods between Jharkhand and neighbouring states.“The project will make travel smoother and boost economic, social and commercial activities in the region. Once the Raipur-Dhanbad corridor is completed, connectivity across Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal will improve significantly,” an official said.NHAI regional officer S K Arya said the four-lane highway had substantially reduced travel time between Palma and Gumla. “The corridor is expected to support industry, trade, tourism and employment generation,” he said.The project includes crash barriers, improved junctions, road markings and signage. Motorists can also access round-the-clock emergency assistance through the toll-free helpline 1033, supported by ambulances, patrol vehicles and cranes.To minimise human-elephant conflict, wildlife underpasses have been built at Turiyamba in Gumla district and Bero in Ranchi district. The underpasses are intended to facilitate the safe movement of elephants and other animals.Project director S K Gautam said work was under way on a 32.37-km four-lane greenfield stretch from the Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh border to Bharda village in Gumla district as part of the corridor.Under NHAI’s Green Highways policy, 1.04 lakh saplings have been proposed along the route, with more than 26,000 planted so far. “Two 2-hectare wayside amenities are also being developed to serve travellers and generate local employment,” Gautam said.Arya added that NHAI would soon deploy an additional ambulance on the Palma-Gumla stretch following feedback from residents during the outreach programme.
