Jharkhand HC Orders Lalgarh-Panjarkala Underpass Completion
The Jharkhand High Court has stepped in to resolve a long-standing safety crisis for residents in the Palamu district. The court has issued a strict directive to railway authorities to finalize the construction of the Lalgarh-Panjarkala railway underpass within a four-month deadline.
Four-Month Deadline Set for Underpass Completion
During a hearing on October 15, 2026, a division bench comprising Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Manoj Prasad mandated that the project, a Limited Height Subway (LHS), must be completed swiftly. The underpass is situated between Lalgarh Bihar and Panjarkala village and has been a point of contention for local commuters.
Addressing the Waterlogging Crisis
A primary concern driving this legal action is the severe waterlogging that plagues the underpass during the monsoon season. The court has not only ordered the completion of the structure but has also demanded a permanent solution to address the flooding issues that make the passage unusable.
"The hazardous conditions faced by local residents and schoolchildren, who are frequently forced to traverse railway tracks unsafely due to the flooded passage, cannot be ignored."
Advocate Baban Prasad, representing the petitioner, the Lalgarh Welfare Society, emphasized that the current situation is life-threatening. Due to the flooded underpass, residents and students are often forced to cross active railway tracks, risking fatal accidents to reach their destinations.
Court Rejects Overbridge Request
In a significant move, the court declined requests from the petitioner to order the construction of a railway overbridge or a manned crossing. Instead, the bench focused its mandate on ensuring the efficacy and proper completion of the existing underpass project to make it a safe and functional route for the public.
Compliance and Next Hearing
The railway authorities are now under a strict timeline to rectify the situation. They are required to submit an official compliance affidavit to the court by March 12, 2027. The matter will be reviewed further during the next scheduled hearing on March 18, 2027.