The huge artificial archways still standing tall at almost all prominent roads of the Capital city are posing a major hurdle in smooth vehicular movement. Even after issuing notification to Durga Puja committees to remove all archways, advertisement hoardings decorated along roads on or before October 22 by 9 AM, several Durga Puja committees are yet to pay the heed to the directives issued by the district administration recently.
The communiqué issued by the district administration on October 20 reads, “All artificial archways constructed using bamboos must be removed within two days from the date of issue of the instruction. Stringent action will be taken against the defaulters by the district administration for violating the directive.”
Notably, a few days prior to the commencement of Durga Puja festivity, the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) had also instructed to the Durga Puja samitis members to remove all the temporary archways decked up along roads soon after the conclusion of the festival. A few major city squares like Harmu Road, New Market area, Kokar Chowk witnesses traffic snarl daily due to the presence of big archways during the rushed hours.
Annually the city enforcement cell officers are assigned the duty of removing the artificial archways. Eralier in 2017, Hefty penalty upto Rs 1 lakh was imposed upon the defaulters for violating the notification as the responsibility for ensuring removal of artificial archways decked up along the roads is solely upon the respective puja samiti organizers.
Meanwhile, when enquired about the present status of big hoardings decked up at a few busiest streets, a City Manager said that the Civic Body can act only in special cases when the artificial archways are not removed even after giving constant reminders to the person or organisations concerned.