One of the busiest roads of Ranchi, Bariatu road, incidentally known as the gateway to the heart of the city belies all claims of providing good roads made by Governments, which had roads central to its agenda. The pot-holed road speaks volumes about Government’s apathy and failure to keep its promises.
Despite astronomical budgetary provisions made in Road Construction department’s Annual Plan for the improvement of major district roads one can only find potholes on the Bariatu road teasing and testing commuters travelling on the road. With the onset of monsoon water filled pot-holes make travelling a gut-wrenching experience.
Ironically, the Road Construction department has not set any deadline to smoothen the road and is waiting for the completion of pipeline work going on along the six kilometer stretch. “We cannot start any work on the road until pipeline project is completed. It is not advisable to start repair or maintenance under the circumstances,” said Engineer-in-Chief Road Construction, RN Raman.
Interestingly, the department receives budgetary support from State’s kitty besides funds earmarked under Central Road Funds (CRF) which is provided by the central government. Notably, the State has spent around Rs 367 crore of the total budgetary allocation for the financial year 2012-13 on revamping major district roads and highways. Total budget for the financial is pegged at Rs 1650 crore.
The road which also leads to out of the city is frequently used by politicians, ministers and senior government officials however barring former Assembly Speaker CP Singh none of them seems to have realized that the road is in urgent of maintenance work. Singh had reportedly tried to bring department’s attention towards dilapidated roads but in vein.
Ironically, people living along the road have got accustomed to the water filled pot-holes occasionally bursting in anger and exposing the quality of works done so far. The road which has become a laughing point has its connecting lanes in shambles as well.
“Tender for this lane has been passed as well as awarded to a contractor on many occasions yet the road is in the same condition,” said a shop keeper referring to First Mark School lane. The road is in extremely pathetic condition near Booty more, Karam Toli besides four other spots where it is difficult to differentiate a road from drain.