Villagers threaten mass agitation for NH 28 (b) construction

Speed Post News Network

Bagaha:  A large number of people from adjoining villages led by former Gopalganj MP Purnmasi Ram gathered at Madanpur forest range in Valmiki tiger reserve (VTR) and told the Divisional forest officer ( DFO ), division- 2, West Champaran,  Amit Kumar on Thursday that if the forests and environment department does not permit construction of NH 28(b) through forest area they would launch a mass agitation.

Ram said that Union Ministry of forests and environment had given approval simultaneously for rail  cum road link across through Bagaha-Chhitauni Gandak rail cum road bridge  and for this purpose about 61.17hectare forest land was diverted to ministry of railways in 1992 taking same area as compensatory forest land from ministry of railways besides other compensations of about Rs.6,69 crore was also paid to the ministry of forest and environment by the rail ministry.

Rail services are going on since 1996-1997 but the road  which has been converted into NH 28(b) is still hanging fire  due to new hurdle created by the forest and environment. Purnamasi Ram alledged that if the NH- 7 which runs through two premier tiger reserve Kanha and Pench and for which the union ministry of forests and environment had giver approval for its four-laning recently, why not go ahead is given to  NH 28 (b). Meanwhile, DFO Amir Kumar has said that this route was not approved for the NH 28(b) by union ministry of forest and environment.