01-07-2025
Bihar's Rs 100 crore highway an obstacle course, thanks to trees in middle of road
After Madhya Pradesh's infamous 90-degree bridge drew national mockery, Bihar has found itself in the spotlight for a jaw-dropping infrastructure blunder. A Rs 100 crore national highway widening project between Jehanabad and Gaya has resulted in a bizarre, dangerous outcome: several massive trees are standing tall right in the middle of the freshly built four-lane to boost connectivity and ease congestion, the highway expansion under National Highway-83 (also known as NH-22) has instead become a nightmare for drivers. With at least seven to eight full-grown trees rooted squarely in the middle of the new lanes-especially near the Jehanabad District Magistrate's office-vehicles are being forced into risky swerves to avoid fatal crashes.
Intended to boost connectivity and ease congestion, the highway expansion under National Highway-83 (also known as NH-22) has instead become a nightmare for drivers.
advertisementOfficials say it's not incompetence but a bureaucratic standoff that led to the mess. During construction, the Public Works Department (PWD) sought clearance from the Forest Department to remove the obstructing trees. However, the Forest Department refused to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) unless the administration provided 14 hectares of compensatory forest land elsewhere in Jehanabad.
Unable to meet the demand, the PWD pushed ahead with construction-navigating the new road around the immovable trees."This situation has arisen due to the Forest Department not granting a No Objection Certificate. The road is still under construction and will be fixed soon," said Brajesh Kumar, Additional Collector of Jehanabad.
But things reached a boiling point on Monday, when photos of the tree-dotted highway began circulating on social media, triggering outrage and ridicule.
advertisementBut things reached a boiling point on Monday, when photos of the tree-dotted highway began circulating on social media, triggering outrage and ridicule. In response, the district administration filed an FIR against the construction agency for proceeding without proper forest steps are now being taken to avert disasters. Reflective tape has been wrapped around the trees, large sandbags placed at their bases, and painted metal drums strategically positioned to warn drivers-especially at night. The administration has also started barricading the affected stretch to ensure motorists don't crash into the greenery now doubling as deadly Aaj Tak, India Today's sister website, visited the site on Tuesday, bright warning drums were seen along the highway as part of the makeshift safety setup. But the central issue-the NOC deadlock-remains unresolved, and the trees continue to stand their ground, quite literally.- EndsTune InMust Watch
