NHAI Begins DPR for NH-49 Four-Lane Expansion in Jharsuguda, Ib Bridge Soil Testing Commences
Jharsuguda: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has started preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the expansion of National Highway No. 49 to four lanes.
In this context, NHAI Project Director Nageshwar Rao informed that Mark Technocraft, the company that has been entrusted with the preparation of the DPR near the Ib River bridge, has conducted soil tests for the three-span bridge.
The existing bridge was built in 1963. The bridge girders were replaced in less than eight years. However, due to the heavy vehicles that pass through this bridge at all times of the day, the durability of the bridge has now been questioned. In addition, the narrow bridge with one lane often gets stuck on both sides of the road.
Notably, on January 9, 2023, an agreement was signed with Mark Technocraft Limited for the launch of this project. However, Project Director Rao said that the company has been given a 10-month deadline to prepare the DPR.
The expansion of NH-49 is a much-awaited project in Jharsuguda district. The four-lane highway will decongest the traffic and improve connectivity to the industrial town. It will also boost economic activity in the region.
