Shahpura. Congress MLA Manish Yadav has written a letter to Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, urging the prompt completion of the overpass construction at Jaipur Tiraha and Delhi Tiraha in Shahpura.
In the letter, the MLA mentioned that National Highway No. 48, passing through his Shahpura constituency, includes under-construction overpasses at Jaipur Tiraha and Delhi Tiraha. The construction of the Jaipur Tiraha overpass has been ongoing for nearly 18 months, but only 30% of the work has been completed. The construction has been stalled for approximately 5 months now, and, at the current pace, it seems it will take several more years to complete. Similarly, the construction of the Delhi Tiraha overpass has been pending for about 14 years. The overpass construction began in June 2011, but it remains unfinished to this day. Only the Jaipur-to-Delhi lane of the overpass is operational, while the Delhi-to-Jaipur lane remains incomplete and halted. In contrast, other overpasses along the highway, such as Putli Overpass (Kotputli) and Behror Overpass, are nearing completion, and Dahmi Overpass is fully complete. While other overpasses on National Highway 48 approach completion, the overpasses in Shahpura continue to await completion. Neither appropriate service lanes nor traffic diversions have been implemented at these construction sites.
The MLA expressed concerns that these incomplete overpasses on the highway frequently lead to traffic jams. As a result, travelers commuting between Jaipur and Delhi experience delays of 8 to 10 hours. The poor condition of the highway and the incomplete overpasses have led to an increase in the number of accidents. Emergency vehicles like ambulances often get caught in these traffic jams, delaying timely medical assistance for those injured in accidents and leading to unfortunate incidents.
He highlighted that Shahpura town is situated on both sides of the highway and serves as a significant hub for trade and transport. However, due to the stalled and incomplete overpass construction, local merchants, shopkeepers, and the general public face considerable challenges. Residents from villages on both sides of the highway must travel several kilometers on foot to cross from one side to the other. Furthermore, there is a black spot at Ghassipura Mod between Shahpura and Manoharpur on the highway, where frequent accidents occur.
The MLA added that heavy traffic on both sides of these overpasses stirs up dust throughout the day, making it difficult for local shopkeepers, traders, and residents near the highway to live and work. The rising prevalence of respiratory ailments like bronchial asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, silicosis, and asbestosis among locals indicates severe health impacts. Business activities are nearing a standstill, and people are growing increasingly resentful. This situation is deteriorating public health, wasting people’s time and money.
Previously, the MLA had also raised this issue in a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee for Jaipur Rural/Urban (DISHA), informing NHAI officials of the problem, but the construction remains unchanged.
The MLA urged the authorities to immediately resume the construction of the Jaipur Tiraha and Delhi Tiraha overpasses in Shahpura. He also requested that concrete plans be made to reduce accidents at the Ghassipura Mod and that necessary instructions be issued to repair the damaged road/service lanes to ease public movement.
