Kumar Bahukhandi
Highway construction continues on one carriageway while traffic moves smoothly on the adjoining carriageway. Authorities say repair work on the rain-affected NH-45 stretch near Chhatona on the Gaurela–Bilaspur route is continuing without stopping vehicular movement.( Representational Image)
₹286-crore Gaurela–Bilaspur highway project reaches 58% physical progress; authorities say damaged section near Chhatona is being repaired without disrupting traffic
Raipur : Repair work is under way on a rain-damaged stretch of National Highway-45 near Chhatona on the Gaurela–Bilaspur route, even as vehicular movement continues on the highway, according to the Public Works Department’s National Highways wing.
The affected portion is located near Chhatona village at kilometre 290.000 on the Keonchi–Ratanpur section of NH-45, where a toll plaza is proposed to be constructed.
Officials said the road surface at the location was damaged following heavy rainfall combined with the movement of a large number of heavy vehicles. Repair work was initiated after the damage was reported and is continuing at the site.
The wider highway widening and upgradation project has meanwhile achieved 58 per cent physical progress.
Heavy rain, vehicle movement damage road surface
According to officials of the PWD National Highways division, work on the GSB, or Granular Sub-Base, layer had been completed at the affected location.
However, recent excessive rainfall and sustained movement of heavy vehicles damaged the surface on this particular section.
The department said the EPC contractor, Shanti Engicon Private Limited, began rectification work immediately after receiving information about the damage.
Officials are monitoring the work at the site to ensure that repairs do not unnecessarily disrupt vehicular movement.
The department maintained that traffic on NH-45 remains operational and arrangements are being made to allow vehicles to move through the area while repairs continue.
₹286-crore project covers nearly 43 km
The repair is taking place within a much larger highway development project covering 42.598 km of NH-45, between kilometre 278.750 and kilometre 321.348.
The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways granted administrative approval of ₹286 crore on March 31, 2022, for widening and upgrading the stretch to two lanes with paved shoulders under Package-2.
Following the tendering process, the work order was issued on July 15, 2024.
The department said the project has now recorded 58 per cent physical progress.
Among the works completed so far are 25.770 km of Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM), 98 HP culverts, 14 RCC box culverts, seven minor bridges and 4.890 km of RCC drains.
Retaining walls and toe walls covering a combined length of 4.467 km have also been completed.
Department asks motorists not to heed rumours
With concerns arising over the condition of the highway following the heavy rains, the National Highways division has sought to reassure motorists that the route has not been closed.
It urged road users not to rely on rumours regarding disruption of the highway and said vehicular movement was continuing while the damaged section was being repaired.
The department said the remaining work on the project was also being taken forward.
The immediate challenge, however, will be to restore the rain-affected portion near Chhatona while maintaining safe traffic movement, particularly given the continued presence of heavy vehicles on the route.
