The State Government’s mission of strengthening and widening of roads besides several ongoing repair works has drawn widespread criticism by political parties who termed the action as the manifestation of “March loot”- commonly used to denote increased financial activity to utilize funds before the end of a financial year.
Devoid of proper justification, the obsession to reconstruct motorable roads has drawn sharp criticism from people and political parties alike. The re-carpeting of stretch between Sainik Theatre Chowk to Karamtoli Chowk makes people smirk at the rational behind spending money on a piece of road that offers smooth rider to passers-by. “More than irritation due to inconvenience I am surprised to see work on this smooth stretch. It is difficult to understand reason carrying repair works on smooth stretch whereas it is undeniable fact that the stretch between Karamtoli upto RIMS needs more attention,” said Munna, a shop-owner at Karamtoli Chowk.
The Bariatu Road- considered as the gateway to the capital- has been in a pathetic condition from last few years forcing former Speaker of Jharkhand Assembly CP Singh to write a letter to the then Government. The Government has changed but the ride is still as gut wrenching as it was earlier busy reconstructing good stretches. This is nothing less than a misuse of public money and lust for commission in the contract works,” said BJP Spokesperson Pradeep Sinha.
Notably, Chief Minister Hement Soren has given administrative sanction of nearly Rs 26.5 crores for repair, strengthening and widening of two important roads in Ranchi. While Rs 19.7 crores has been sanctioned for the 7.6 km long road from New Market (Ratu Road) at NH 74 to HEC gate via Harmu-Argora Chowk Rs 6.61 crores has been sanctioned for widening and relaying of nearly 1.7 km long stretch from Pundag TOP to Pundag DAV.
The cost on the stretch between New Market to HEC gate, a major trunk road with heavy traffic, includes construction of footpath and drainage along the road. The road between Pundag TOP to Pundag DAV is a single lane road with a width of three metres and it will be widened to 5.5 metres to provide better connectivity to city road network. Nonetheless, the potholed road between New Market to HEC gate has raised questions about the necessity to widen the four-lane road which remains free of traffic congestion for most part of the day. Political parties believe that road strengthening and widening projects reflects the urgency on the part of the government to spend money than provide better roads to the people of the city.
“Whatever strengthening and widening work is going on has nothing to do with people. This is the government’s way to please MlAs and contractors. Government wants to spend money before the financial year ends,” maintained JVM leader Pradeep Yadav. Notwithstanding opposition’s similar views in the past the Hemant Soren dispensation has given nod to widening of as many as 16 roads across the city at an estimated cost of Rs 125 crores. The detailed project report is likely to be prepared and tender process is likely to begin in a month’s time, sources disclosed in the Road Construction department confided.