Bidyut Baran Mahto (56) has spent 90 per cent of his MPALD funds after being elected to the Lok Sabha from Jamshedpur. This first-time MP has been at the forefront of the proposed Dhalbhumgarh airport project and re-opening of several closed mines in the Mosaboni-Rakha-Jadugora belt.
After chairing a meeting of district BJP Yuva Morcha at his Bistupur O-Road office last week, Mahto spoke to The Telegraph about his five-year tenure and unfinished agenda, before rushing off to rural Patamda and Bodam for campaigning. Excerpts:
Q: What has been the most satisfying achievement of your tenure?
BM: Decks have been cleared for a modern airport at Dhalbhumgarh in Ghatshila. That is undoubtedly the high-point. Ever since the formation of Jharkhand in 2001, the region has been pining for air connectivity. With direct flights between Jamshedpur and Calcutta uncertain owing to concerns over Sonari Airport, there was a feeling of despair among all. I had been pursuing the issue with successive civil aviation ministers. Now, with the support of civil aviation minister of state Jayant Sinha and the active interest of CM Raghubar Das things fell into place in January 2019
Q: Where do things stand now?
The Airport Authority of India has started the survey work to prepare a DPR. We hope to have the first phase of the airport functional within 18 months.
Q: What about opening/reviving mines in the Ghatshila area?
To get closed copper and uranium mines in Mosaboni and Jadugora functional was most challenging. Several meetings with the Prime Minister and chief minister bore fruit with the opening of Rakha Mines (closed for 19 years), Chapri mines (closed for 14 years), Kendadih mines (closed for 11 years) and Uranium mines at Narwa and Jadugora (closed for four years). These will revive the economy of the Mosaboni-Rakha-Jadugora belt and also generate employment
Q: How was the Jugsalai road over bridge project revived?
I held several meetings with the railway minister and officials at SER headquarters in Garden Reach and the road construction division. I am thankful to the chief minister for pushing the case. All this helped start the Rs 12-crore road over bridge project near Jugsalai railway crossing
Q: But the NH-33 widening work has been inordinately delayed?
Litigation, bureaucratic hassles and the failure of the private concessionaire, Madhucon Projects, made it very embarrassing for the government. However, I had been raising the issue in the Lok Sabha and also in meetings with Union road and transport minister Nitin Gadkari and the chief minister. Fortunately, a work order has been issued again and the remaining part the work is expected to be completed in 18 months
Q: How much of your MPLAD funds have you spent?
I have utilised more than 90 per cent of my MPLAD funds on roads and other infrastructure projects in rural areas
Q: What about health and education?
The Jamshedpur Women’s University has finally come into being. And, let me tell you, it was my proposal in Parliament which led to reduction of prices of coronary stents
Q: What will be your priorities, if elected for another term?
I want to develop Jamshedpur as an educational hub by setting up medical and engineering colleges as well as polytechnics. This will ensure that our youngsters don’t have to leave the steel city for higher studies. This will be my topmost priority.
