Bihar – UP villagers demand construction of NH 28 (b)

Speed Post News Network

Bagaha: A large number of people from Bagaha in West Champaran district and villages in bordering Uttar Pradesh (UP) gathered at village Madanpur under the banner of Bagaha – Paniyahawa (UP) NH 28(b) Construction Action Committee and held a meeting on Wednesday under the leadership of Pramod Kumar Singh. Reiterating their demand for the construction of  NH 28(b), they alleged that Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) officials were creating hurdles in it.

The villagers said that Bagaha-Chhitauni rail cum road bridge was built over river Gandak for connecting Bihar and UP.  Rail traffic resumed services since 1996-97 but road communication was yet to start due to stubborn attitude of VTR authorities even as the Union ministry for Forest and environmental had earmarked 61.17 hectare of forest land for the purpose  in August 1992. The villagers resolved to continue their agitation till the construction of NH 28(b) starts.

Many speakers including Dipnarain Prasad, Shusil Shashank, Nandesh Pandey, Lalbabu Singh, Pramod Singh, Gyaneshwar Mahto urged the VTR authorities to co-operate in the matter. The meeting requested state Environment and forest department as well as chairman of state wildlife board to consider their demand and prevent VTR officials from creating hurdles in the way of construction of NH 28(b).