The picturesque serpentine valley of Patratu and the dam located below it might have become icons of Jharkhand but are proving equally dangerous and vulnerable to accidents claiming lives of several youths in the last few years.
Known for its scenic beauty, Patratu valley has become a favourite hangout spot for school and college going students, who could easily be seen roaming around in the area on their motorbikes having fun with their friends.
Another 16-year old school student of class XI lost his life while taking bath at the Patratu dam along with his friends on Wednesday. Such students often go towards the restricted area of the dam and start taking bath into it and ultimately are drowned into the deep waters.
“Despite having marked that it was dangerous to get into the water, these boys got into it and started playing with the water. All of a sudden one of the boys lost control in the water and went deep into it, who was later found dead over the water,” said officer in charge of Patratu Police Station Vishnudeo Chaudhary.
Moreover, despite the fact that any of the boys did not know swimming, all of them entered into the water without thinking about the repercussions of it, added Chaudhary.
The General Manager of Patratu Thermal Power Station, however, assured to take precautionary steps to check any such incident at the dam site. “I had a meeting with the GM of the company yesterday, who has agreed to fence the entire dam area with barbed wires and also depute security guards to prevent anybody coming to the vulnerable sites,” said the OC.
Ironically, no security measures have been taken so far to prevent people coming to that side in spite of the fact that it is vulnerable to accidents.
According to Chaudhary, Patratu Valley after its revamp, has become equally vulnerable to accidents as students are often seen doing stunts on their bikes and also taking photographs of the scenic beauty while driving their bikes even on the sharp turns.
“There is no restriction in coming here for fun…… but at the same time some precaution must also be taken while driving on the sharp turns. Government has provided a world class road for you but at the same time, it is you who has to be cautious while driving on those roads. One should enjoy the beauty by standing on one side of the road and not while driving a bike or a car,” said the OC.
“If you have come for a picnic… enjoy it….. But at the same time…. you should also not do any such thing which might put your life as well the life of your companions at stake,” appealed Chaudhary.
Daily commuters on Ranchi-Patratu Expressway also believed that it has become more risky after getting a revamp by the joint efforts made by the state government as well as Jindal Steel limited.
“There must be some kind of safeguard checking the youngsters coming to the valley area as it is highly risky for them to drive here without following the traffic rules. The valley is definitely beautiful and scenic, but at the same time it is also highly dangerous to drive on it,” said an executive working with Jindal Steel and Power limited Anupam Anant.