Parliament Question: ROBs and Railway Underpass Project on NH‑32

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 286 ANSWERED ON 12TH MARCH, 2026 ROBS AND RAILWAY UNDERPASS PROJECT ON NH-32 286. SHRI DULU MAHATO: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the project for construction of Railway Overbridges (ROBs)/Underpasses on National Highway (NH)-32 at Sonardih and Goshala near Dhanbad–Bokaro section were earlier sanctioned but subsequently kept in abeyance on account of observations in the report of Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) regarding underground mine fire; (b) whether the present traffic pressure on NH-32 and frequent obstruction due to railway line operation have aggravated congestion and increased the risk of accidents in the said stretch; (c) whether the Government proposes to revive the said project as an independent scheme with fresh tendering and if so, the details thereof; (d) if not, whether alternative structures such as underpasses or other feasible designs are being considered to ensure safe and smooth traffic movement; and (e) the time-frame within which a final decision is likely to be taken in the interest of passengers, local citizens and for industrial connectivity between Dhanbad and Bokaro? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 286 ANSWERED ON 12TH MARCH, 2026 ASKED BY SHRI DULU MAHATO REGARDING ‘ROBS AND RAILWAY UNDERPASS PROJECT ON NH-32’. (a) Yes Sir, the construction of Railway Over-bridges (ROBs) at Sonardih and Goshala were earlier sanctioned but subsequently de-scoped due to objections received from Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) regarding underground mine fire in that area. (b) Moderate Traffic congestion has been reported during railway line operation. (c) to (e) The affected fire zone area falls on old NH-32 (Mahuda-Dhanbad town-Govindpur section) in Dhanbad is presently maintained by State Highway Authority of Jharkhand (SHAJ), Govt. of Jharkhand. Alternate route of this section has already been developed & completed by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the year 2022 as part of new section of NH-32 (New NH-18) i.e. from Mahuda to Rajganj merging at NH-2 (new NH-19). However, in realigned section, 1.5 km stretch including Railway Overbridge (ROB) could not be developed/constructed due to Fire zone area as per report of Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS). DPR for new alignment was being explored to construct the ROB and its approaches. However Ministry of Coal has suggested to explore a new alignment outside the fire-affected area and NHAI has requested DGMS to provide the map of the fire-affected area and details of the fire zone so that the DPR for a new alignment, which lies outside the fire zone, can be finalized for construction of De-scoped ROB's. After receipt of the details from DGMS, new alignment for ROBs will be finalised. *****