The National Highway Authority of India has awarded a $135m building and maintenance contract for the Ranchi-Hazaribagh stretch of NH-33 to a consortium.

The contract will focus on building a four-lane project at the Ranchi-Hazaribagh stretch of NH-33 in Jharkhand and Bihar.

The contract has been awarded to a consortium made up of IL&FS Transportation and Punj Lloyd, India.

Work involves building a 71.16km road to bypass the underground fire zone in Kujju.

Construction will begin within six months and finish in two and a half years.

Work will be carried out under a build, operate and transfer basis.