Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday inaugurated a newly built 2.34-kilometre-long four-lane flyover and elevated corridor, connecting Mecon Chowk (Doranda) to Sirmatoli in Ranchi.
Constructed at a cost of ₹355.76 crore under the supervision of the Road Construction Department, this is Ranchi’s second flyover to be opened within a year, aiming to significantly ease traffic congestion in the city.
The inauguration comes just a day after tribal organisations staged a Jharkhand bandh protesting issues related to the flyover’s ramp. In a quick response, the Chief Minister went ahead with the project’s inauguration the very next day.
During the ceremony held at Van Bhawan, Doranda, CM Soren announced that the flyover will be named in honour of Kartik Oraon, a revered tribal leader and former Union Minister.
“Our government believes in real development, not just political promises. We are committed to working on the ground to bring change to both urban and rural areas,” said Soren.
A major feature of the project is a 132-metre-long cable-stayed bridge constructed over a railway line — the first of its kind in Jharkhand. Officials noted that this is also India’s first flyover since the Mumbai Sea Link to use mono-piling and pre-cast slab technology.
To facilitate construction, 51 structures, including homes, temples, and graveyards, were either demolished or relocated.
The flyover is expected to reduce commute time from 30 minutes to just 3–4 minutes, and is projected to cut traffic volume by up to 40% in several busy areas such as Main Road, Doranda, Sujata Chowk, Station Road, Club Road, and Kadru.
CM Soren had laid the foundation stone for the project on August 19, 2022, making its completion in under three years a major achievement.
Prominent attendees included Labour and Employment Minister Sanjay Yadav, Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey, Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji, and Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari.
Coinciding with World Environment Day, CM Soren also urged citizens to actively participate in protecting the environment and promoting green initiatives.
With inputs from IANS