Jharkhand Road Map

The road network of Jharkhand is an important component of its infrastructure, interlinking its cities, towns, and rural areas. The state has approximately 28,000 kilometers of road length consisting of National Highways, State Highways, and rural roads. Important National Highways such as NH-33, NH-31, and NH-43 connect Jharkhand with surrounding states, enabling trade and tourism. Along with urban and inter-state connectivity, the state has also developed rural infrastructure with more than 13,000 kilometers of rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Even with progress, the road network suffers from issues like poor maintenance, monsoon flooding, and traffic jam in urban parts. Yet, there are future and current projects to further enhance road connectivity and infrastructure in the state.

National Highways

National Highways play a critical role in shaping the connectivity and development of states, and the same is especially true for the state. National Highways are crucial in facilitating the movement of goods, services, and people between different parts of the country. Among the various highways that traverse the state, some of the most important ones include NH-33, NH-31, NH-43, NH-75, and NH-98.

NH-33 is arguably one of the most critical roads, linking the capital city with big industrial centers. It connects Ranchi to Jamshedpur and stretches towards Kharagpur in West Bengal. This road is important for mineral and steel trade, considering the industrial importance of Jamshedpur. Being one of the most busy roads, it connects a steel-producing metropolis with the rest of the region, and thus it is vital for local as well as interstate trade. Furthermore, NH-33 connects with other important highways, providing smooth connectivity between cities and easier access to surrounding states.

NH-31 is also a principal National Highway that connects Ranchi with Patna, the capital of Bihar. The highway provides commerce and mobility between two principal economic centers of eastern India. NH-31 sustains industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services by linking the two cities and enabling free movement of goods and people across state lines. The highway also provides access to some towns and cities along the way, thereby again enhancing regional connectivity and economic activity.

NH-43, which connects Ranchi with Daltonganj, is also an important piece. It traverses the Palamu district and joins rural villages with the state capital. The road has enhanced connectivity to the state's southern region and is vital for transporting raw material as well as finished goods.

NH-75, stretching from Ranchi to Jamshedpur, is another critical National Highway that enhances connectivity within the region. The road gives easy connectivity to Tata Steel's operations at Jamshedpur, one of the country's largest steel factories. NH-75 facilitates the movement of steel and other inputs and contributes considerably to the regional industrial system.

NH-98, that links Dhanbad, Bokaro, and Ranchi, is an important road for the transportation of coal and minerals. The region near Dhanbad and Bokaro is coal and iron ore rich, which are two of the most important industrial materials in the nation. This road is crucial to the mining sector, with the easy transport of these raw materials to the rest of India. Also, the road links major cities, rendering it a vital artery for intercity movement.

State Highways

State Highways of Jharkhand connect major towns and cities with one another, making it easier to transport goods and people. For instance, Ranchi-Hazaribagh highway is one of the most important State Highways in the state. This road serves particularly well the northern regions of the state, as it connects these areas with Ranchi, the state capital. The highway is also used by heavy traffic of commuters, businessmen, and tourists, and its connectivity aids the local economy through the facilitation of easier access to markets and basic services in Ranchi.

The State Highway from Jamshedpur to Ghatshila is another major route. Jamshedpur, being one of the most industrialized cities in Jharkhand, is linked to Ghatshila, which is situated in the eastern region of the state. This highway is significant not only for industrial transportation but also for agricultural trade, since Ghatshila is bordered by agricultural land. It is also used by tourists traveling towards scenic destinations in and around Ghatshila, so it is a significant highway for both trade and tourism.

The Simdega-Ranchi highway is another significant connection in the state. Simdega, which is in the western region of Jharkhand, is linked to Ranchi by this State Highway. This highway is crucial for the movement of goods, such as farm products, from Simdega to the state capital and other markets. It also plays a critical role in the movement of individuals in pursuit of education, medical care, and job opportunities in Ranchi.

Rural Roads

Rural roads are a critical component of the development of any region, and in Jharkhand, they are especially significant for linking far-flung villages to urban areas and providing access to basic services. Although crucial, Jharkhand's rural roads suffer from several challenges concerning maintenance, seasonal wear and tear, and poor infrastructure that can check their functionality. Nevertheless, the state has improved rural road connectivity considerably through government programs and developmental programs.

One of the large schemes that have influenced the rural road network in Jharkhand is the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), a national initiative that seeks to enhance rural road connectivity in India. Through PMGSY, thousands of kilometers of rural roads have been built and improved, linking villages to towns, markets, and basic services such as healthcare and education. This scheme has played a crucial role in bridging the rural-urban gap and providing rural people with access to improved infrastructure, thus enhancing their living standards.

Prior to the launch of such schemes, most rural pockets in Jharkhand were cut off from the rest of the world because of the absence of good roads, especially in hilly or forest areas. Villages were usually isolated during the monsoon season, and it was hard for individuals to reach healthcare, education, or markets. The case was especially tough in far-flung districts such as Simdega, Gumla, and Latehar, where the weather and terrain conditions made it hard to construct roads. With improved rural roads, farmers are now able to take their farm produce to markets easily, resulting in improved prices for their crops. Moreover, better roads have facilitated easier access for individuals to receive medical care in hospitals, breaking the isolation of rural communities.

Nevertheless, rural Jharkhand's road network continues to be a problem. Even though schemes such as PMGSY have improved matters, most rural roads are poorly maintained, particularly those that are subject to heavy rainfall or flooding during the monsoon season. Waterlogging, erosion, and landslides cause damage to roads, rendering them impassable for days or weeks. The absence of proper drainage systems makes matters worse, resulting in roads becoming muddy and potholed.

Maintenance of rural roads has, in the past, been left out of priority due to a lack of finances or inadequate capacity of local government. Construction quality is variable, with some being constructed with low-quality materials that deteriorate soon under high usage or severe weather conditions. The roads are also narrow and not well marked in some areas, posing risks to drivers and pedestrians. Road safety conditions, including dim light and poor signposting, are also factors behind accidents and fatalities on rural roads.

Another issue is the proliferation of vehicles on rural roads, which were initially constructed to handle fewer vehicles. The growth of rural areas has seen vehicular traffic increase, straining the road infrastructure. Although the number of vehicles represents economic development, it also raises the imperative of upgrading the roads through widening roads and enhancing surface quality to facilitate safety and effectiveness in transportation.

Even with these challenges, the central government and the state government remain committed to improving the rural road infrastructure. Under PMGSY and the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) among other schemes, a number of projects seek to increase the rural road network. These programs do not just aim at building roads but also towards long-term sustainability through improved maintenance techniques and adoption of latest technology in road construction.

In the last few years, there has been an effort to construct all-weather roads that can cope with seasonal weather conditions. Rural roads are being built with newer methods, such as reinforced concrete and strong bitumen surfaces, so they do not deteriorate as fast and need repairs less often. Additionally, an attempt is being made to add road safety measures such as appropriate signs, speed breakers, and reflectors to make rural driving and walking safer for motorists and pedestrians alike.

Roads in rural areas also facilitate non-farm industries, including tourism. Regions that are environmentally rich in natural scenery, such as the areas near Netarhat, Hazaribagh, and Betla National Park, are better accessible today through improved roads, thus facilitating the growth of the tourism sector. Increased connectivity can result in higher investment by local enterprises, generating jobs and facilitating economic diversification.

FAQs

Q1: How is Jharkhand connected to the other states?

Jharkhand is connected to all neighboring states like Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh through its strong road network.

Q2: Number of National Highways passing through Jharkhand?

Jharkhand has 10 National Highways traversing the state.

Q3: Does Jharkhand have any road schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)?

Yes, Jharkhand has constructed more than 13,000 km of rural roads under PMGSY, linking distant villages to towns and cities.

Last Updated on : March 07, 2025