Parliament Question: Dilapidated Condition of Roads in Sonbhadra

**Executive Summary** This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 1930 in Lok Sabha, answered on December 11th, 2025, regarding the dilapidated condition of roads in Sonbhadra. The Minister of Road Transport and Highways clarifies the Ministry's responsibility for the development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). The document also outlines the ongoing and planned maintenance and development projects in the Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh. The widening of Rewa-Renukoot-Garwa-Daltonganj-Ranchi of NH-39 is planned for 2025-26. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Responsibilities and Policies:** * The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is responsible for the development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). * Development and maintenance of NHs is a continuous process, prioritized based on inter-se priority, traffic density, and synergy with the PM Gati Shakti framework National Master Plan (NMP). * Maintenance and Repair (M&R) of NH stretches under Operation, Maintenance and Transfer (OMT) Concessions / Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Contracts are the responsibility of the concerned Concessionaires / Contractors until the end of the Defect Liability Period (DLP) / Concession Period. * For remaining NH stretches, the government undertakes maintenance through Performance based Maintenance Contract (PBMC) or Short Term Maintenance Contract (STMC). * **NH-39 in Sonbhadra District:** * NH-39, connecting Ranchi to Rewa, passes through Wyndhamganj and Dudhinagar, with a length of approximately 91 km in the Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh. * This stretch of NH-39 is currently under the Defect Liability Period (DLP). * Contractors are responsible for rectifying damages, defects, maintenance, and repair during the concurrent DLP/ Maintenance period. * Widening to 4L of Rewa-Renukoot-Garwa-Daltonganj-Ranchi of NH-39 is planned for Annual Plan 2025-26. * **Other Roads:** * Tilgudwa and Kon are connected to NH-39 via State Roads, and their development and maintenance is the responsibility of the State Government of Uttar Pradesh. * **Ongoing Projects:** * Three projects are detailed in the annexure; Stage Strengthening from Km. 220.000 to 221.000, 222.000 to 224.000, 225.000 to 247.000, 249.000 to 254.000 & 263.535 to 298.000 of NH-75E, Stage Strengthening from Km. 211.200 to 220.00, 221.00 to 222.00, 224.00 to 225.00, 247.00 to 249.00, 254.00 to 263.535 and 298.00 to 302.478 of NH-75E and Construction of ROB at LC no.50/B/E at km.298.000 on NH-75E on EPC mode **Impact Analysis** **Government of India, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways** * **Impact:** Responsible for overseeing the development, maintenance, and repair of National Highways in the Sonbhadra district. * **Action Required:** Ensure that contractors fulfill their responsibilities during the Defect Liability Period (DLP) and continue with the planned expansion and maintenance projects within the framework of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. **Concessionaires / Contractors** * **Impact:** Responsible for the maintenance and repair of NH stretches under their concession agreements until the end of the Defect Liability Period. * **Action Required:** Fulfill their contractual obligations for maintenance, repair, and rectification of damages within the DLP, and construct the ROB as per project specifications. **Citizens of Sonbhadra District and Uttar Pradesh** * **Impact:** Benefit from improved road conditions, reduced travel times, and enhanced safety on National Highways. * **Action Required:** None specified. **State Government of Uttar Pradesh** * **Impact:** Responsible for the development and maintenance of State Roads connecting to NH-39. * **Action Required:** Continue to maintain and develop State Roads in coordination with the central government's efforts on National Highways.

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