Nishar Mohammed & Vikramaditya
Bakultala, Oct 06: The National Highway 4 (NH-4) was spared a disruptive “Chakka Jam” today after local authorities and citizens agreed to suspend their planned protest. The decision followed a crucial meeting at the Pradhan Chamber where the construction firm RKEC and the NHIDCL Project Manager provided a formal undertaking regarding the stalled repair work on the critical road stretch between Bakultala Junction and Panitanki, Rangat.
The road work, which was originally due for completion by October 6, 2025, faced delays attributed to adverse climate and heavy rain. After extensive discussions, the Pradhan of Bakultala, Mr. Narayan Mandal representing the PRIs, and the allied auto and jeep unions, accepted the contractors’ request for more time.
As per the official undertaking signed by the Senior Highway Manager of RKEC, the firm has made two central promises to the residents of Bakultala. First, the entire road, which has become a network of small and biggest potholes, will be made fully motorable by October 16, 2025, marking a ten-day period from the date of the agreement. Work for this immediate repair will commence without delay.
Second, the company has assured that the major, long-term road upgradation will begin in November. The entire stretch from Bakultala to Panitanki, Rangat, will be converted into a durable WMM (Wet Mix Macadam) road, with the work commencing on November 1, 2025. Furthermore, the officials assured the Pradhan that the total road completion from Bakultala to Rangat will be finished by December of this year.
In response to these assurances, the Pradhan of Bakultala confirmed the postponement of the “Chakka Jam” originally scheduled for tomorrow, October 7, 2025. This allows normal vehicular movement to resume and gives the contractors the time they requested.
However, the local bodies have made it clear that this reprieve is strictly conditional. The Pradhan stated that if RKEC and NHIDCL fail to fulfil their commitment and make the road motorable within the 10-day period, the unions and villagers will resume their planned agitation and “protest against them” immediately after the deadline.
