3 days ago
Bihar Forest Department Faces Conflict Over Highway Clearance Role
Bihar wants to widen part of a highway through a forest area.
The road would become a two-lane road instead of a single-lane road.
A government agreement gave the Forest Department responsibility for helping get permission for the work.
The same department would also help build and manage the project.
This created concern because the Forest Department normally checks whether projects meet forest rules.
The project needs land from Bhimband Wildlife Sanctuary.
The application for permission is still pending with the state.
The Forest Department’s head said the agreement is being withdrawn.
The Road Construction Department would still handle engineering, bidding and construction supervision.
A September 26 MoU assigns Bihar’s Forest Department responsibility for widening a highway through forest land.
The project covers 10.5 kilometres of National Highway 333 in Munger district.
The project requires 2.1 hectares from Bhimband Wildlife Sanctuary, with clearance applications still pending at the state level.
The Forest Department was assigned roles involving approvals, land access, project execution, finances and contractor payments.
Bihar’s Head of Forest Force Arvinder Singh said the MoU is being withdrawn.
- Who
- Bihar’s Forest Department and Road Construction Department are involved; the MoU was signed by Head of Forest Force Arvinder Singh and Engineer-in-chief Uma Kant Rajak.
- What
- An MoU assigns the Forest Department responsibility for executing and facilitating approvals for widening and strengthening a 10.5-kilometre highway stretch.
- Where
- National Highway 333 between kilometres 28.340 and 38.840, through Gangata forest in Munger district, Bihar.
- When
- The MoU was signed on September 26; the forest-clearance application was filed in April 2023 and the wildlife-clearance application in February 2024.
- Why
- The stated objectives are improved connectivity, road safety and traffic movement.
Conflict-of-interest concerns
Government departments’ stated roles
Forest Department’s involvement
Conflict-of-interest concerns
The arrangement gives the department responsible for assessing forest-clearance applications a direct role in obtaining approvals, executing the road project and processing payments.
Government departments’ stated roles
The MoU was intended to coordinate the project, while the Road Construction Department retained engineering, procurement, tendering and construction-supervision functions.
Status of the agreement
Conflict-of-interest concerns
The agreement’s clauses appear to give the Forest Department a stake in expediting statutory permissions for a project using forest land.
Government departments’ stated roles
Head of Forest Force Arvinder Singh said the MoU is being withdrawn, although he did not explain the circumstances behind its signing.
Key facts
- Road
- National Highway 333
- Project length
- 10.5 kilometres
- Project location
- Gangata forest, Munger district, Bihar
- Forest land required
- 2.1 hectares from Bhimband Wildlife Sanctuary
- Revised project cost
- Rs 51 crore
- Clearance status
- The Parivesh portal lists the application as pending at the state level
- MoU status
- Head of Forest Force Arvinder Singh said the MoU is being withdrawn
Quotes
Arvinder Singh
Bihar’s Head of Forest Force
“That MoU is being withdrawn.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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