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Title: Need to upgrade and maintain N.H. 98 between Arwal and Bihar-Jharkhand Border.
SHRI NIKHIL KUMAR (AURANGABAD, BIHAR): National Highway 98 is a very important National Highway. It carries heavy passenger and commercial traffic from Bihar to Jharkhand on way to Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. It is in a bad condition dotted with potholes almost throughout its length in Bihar and particularly between Arwal and the Bihar-Jharkhand border via Aurangabad. The heavy traffic, that is forced to move at a very slow pace, finds it extremely difficult to drive without causing serious damage to the vehicles and certainly any avoidable wear and tear to them. This had forced commuters to take alternative longer routes that would have been totally unnecessary had this highway been roadworthy and in good condition. Traffic along this highway also generates economic activity that used to be a lifesaver for the people of that area. This area needs all the economic impetus that can be provided to this backward area.
It was expected that the Central Government would select this NH in the nearly 900 Kms. of National Highways selected in Bihar for upgradation, But it was not done. More importantly, there is an almost ancient bridge called the Domuhan bridge on this NH across the Battane river that is in a perilous condition
* Treated as laid on the Table.
and is a serious threat to public safety. The Central Government had approved its rebuilding and sanctioned about Rs. 4 crores for it about a year back. But inexplicably no work has started on it yet. It is requested that the Central Government may look into this important matter of great public importance for action straightaway.