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| Bikers negotiate a speed-breaker on Beer Chand Patel Path near the JD (U) office in Patna. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh |
Patna, May 5: Beer Chand Patel Path boasts of the widest roads in Patna and is regarded as a high-speed zone. However, regular commuters on the road are complaining that the two speed-breakers laid last month near the JD (U) office is forcing them to slow down.
Many complain that the road construction department has laid these two speed-breakers for the convenience of JD (U) workers, though the department is not allowed to do so on a high-speed thoroughfare.
The road is quite popular because the offices of most of the political parties like the RJD, the National Congress Party and the BJP, have their addresses on this road.
The way is also adjacent to MLA flats and club. There have never been any speed-breaker on this road but the recent development has created trouble for many motorcyclists and vehicles.
On being contacted, Ashok Kumar Verma, president, Bihar Engineering Service Association (Besa), said: “The rule does not allow for speed-breakers on a high-speed road. There is a specification in the rulebook. Speed-breakers are made on those roads that have a school or a college, hospital and any other public institution. You can’t just make speed-breakers anywhere. The size and the height of the speed- breakers also need to be kept in consideration.”
“If a speed breaker is made on a high-speed road then it is a violation of the law,” said Verma.
Jyoti Prakash, a commuter, said: “Why is there a need of any speed-breaker on this high-speed road? It is unnecessarily creating trouble for us. I do not know what is the reason. It must be for the convenience of JD (U) workers. It should be removed as soon as possible. I have been travelling on this road for many years. There has never been a speed-breaker.”
Prataya Amrit, secretary, road construction department, too, is sceptical about the development. He told The Telegraph: “I have not taken the road for quite some time and have no information regarding the speed-breaker constructed. Now that you have informed me, I will surely check it and inquire about it.”
Amrit, however, denied any political motive behind the construction of the speed-breakers. Ram Kripal Yadav, principal general secretary, RJD said: “If the lawmakers are breaking the rules then what will happen to the “so-called” susashan (good governance)?”
The Rajya Sabha MP added: “Even Patna High Court has given an order that no speed-breaker shall be constructed on the high-speed zone. The government is violating the court order. What is the need to do this? The government has certainly constructed it for the convenience of their party workers and the smooth running of their vehicles.”
No one from the JD (U) was available for a comment.