Jamshedpur: In a major infrastructure development for Jharkhand, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has recommended wildlife clearance for a key road expansion project passing through the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary in East Singhbhum district.
The project involves upgrading a critical stretch of National Highway 33 (NH-33) into a 4/6-lane elevated corridor with paved shoulders, aimed at improving traffic flow in the industrial region of Jamshedpur.
Project Details: NH-33 Upgradation Plan
The proposed development covers the stretch between Kalimandir and Baliguma (Km 241.940 to Km 251.962) under the National Highways Development Programme (NHDP-III).
Key highlights include:
- Use of 2.1812 hectares of forest land
- Construction of a multi-lane elevated corridor
- Inclusion of paved shoulders for improved traffic movement
Officials said the project is designed to ease congestion in one of Jharkhand’s busiest industrial corridors.
NBWL Grants Recommendation After Detailed Review
The recommendation was made during the 90th meeting of the Standing Committee of NBWL, held on March 21, 2026, in Dehradun under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The proposal underwent multiple stages of scrutiny, including:
- Review in January 2026
- Site inspection on February 28 by a multi-agency committee
- Field assessment by experts from:
- Wildlife Institute of India
- National Tiger Conservation Authority
- State Forest Department
Following the assessment, the project was cleared with strict environmental safeguards.
Strict Conditions to Protect Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary
To ensure ecological protection, several conditions have been imposed on the executing agency:
- No construction outside approved land boundaries
- Complete ban on forest resource extraction
- No night-time construction activity
- Prevention of forest fires and wildlife disturbance
- No labour camps within forest areas
- Mandatory GPS-based demarcation of project boundaries
- Submission of annual compliance reports
Authorities emphasized that biodiversity conservation in Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary will remain a top priority during execution.
Connectivity Boost for Jamshedpur Industrial Belt
The elevated corridor is expected to significantly improve connectivity and reduce traffic congestion in and around Jamshedpur’s industrial zone.
Officials said the project will enhance:
- Road safety and traffic efficiency
- Industrial logistics movement
- Regional economic connectivity
At the same time, environmental monitoring mechanisms will ensure that construction activities do not disrupt the sanctuary’s ecological balance.
Prior Approvals from State Wildlife Authorities
The proposal had already received approval from the State Board for Wildlife and the Chief Wildlife Warden of Jharkhand, before being forwarded to the national-level committee for final consideration.
The NBWL recommendation marks an important step toward balancing infrastructure development with environmental conservation. While the NH-33 elevated corridor is expected to ease long-standing traffic issues in Jamshedpur, authorities have emphasized strict safeguards to protect the fragile ecosystem of Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary.
