From solving the problem of traffic jams in the city, to getting rid of stray animals and beautification of the State Capital, Ranchi Municipal Corporation has a number of projects lined up in its kitty for the next few months. Deputy Mayor Sanjiv Vijayavarigya talked about the upcoming projects of RMC with The Pioneer.
The road from Shaheed Chowk to Sarjana Chowk has now been made a vending free zone with street vendors in the area being moved to the vendors’ market. What is the next step?
We are targeting the road from Sarjana Chowk to Urdu Library next. We have already identified several spots were vendors’ market can be constructed including an area in Gudri and opposite R Ali. The final decision is yet to be made but till then the street vendors in this area will be moved to a temporary vending zone. We plan to make this area vending free within two months.
There are also plans of making MG road as ‘ideal road’?
Yes, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) is helping us in that. In fact there team is here now and we inspected the road yesterday. There is six metres of road on each side of the divider which will be used as two lanes each for the vehicles. The road will be wider in some areas were school buses or other vehicles can stop to drop or pick up people instead of stopping in the middle of traffic. We will also make parking areas and footpath on the side. In first phase the work will be done from Shaheed Chowk to Sarjana Chowk, which will be extended up to Over Bridge in the second phase.
What are the hurdles the RMC will face in implementing this project?
A major hurdle will be the shops which have encroached on RMC land and constructed platforms and stairs. These encroached constructions have to be broken down. Another major issue is making all the drains in the area uniform.
There was a plan of rehabilitating the street vendors of Lalpur and Kokar as well, as they are a major reason of traffic jam. What is being done in that sector?
The underground market near Distillery Bridge is coming up. The underground market is supposed to give space to 125 vendors.
The area above the market, which was earlier supposed to be reserved for car parking will also be given to the vendors, thus accommodating 125 more vendors.
There are around 335 vendors identified in these two area, the remaining vendors will be given space in the area near Birsa Samadhi Sthal.
Are there plans of rehabilitating vendors from other markets and haats across the city too?
Yes, we are planning to rehabilitate the vendors from market of Morhabadi, Booty More, Hinoo, Birsa Chowk and other places as well. Areas are being identified by RMC for their rehabilitation.
Any plan for setting up a colony for RMC staff?
An RMC colony is to be set up in Edalhatu where RMC has an eight acre land. It will have something for the mayor, deputy mayor, municipal commissioner and other officers of the corporation. The detail project report for the same is being made.
Are there plans of beautification of cremation grounds in the city too?
Yes. There are around a dozen of small and big cremation grounds in the city. We are planning to beautify them and then hand over to private bodies for maintenance to ensure all facilities there.