Motihari: The Road Construction Department (RCD) has dismantled a number of speed-breakers in Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) area in the wake of protests by residents dwelling in the forest area.

As many as 32 rumble strips were laid on a 30km-stretch from Madanpur to Valmikinagar in West Champaran district about two months ago to curb speeding and ensure wildlife safety.

But residents had protested the move and threatened an agitation from August 4.

"Apart from exposing residents to road accidents because of the humps, the road had become unmotorable, specially for the movement of sugar-laden carriers," said Dhanaha MLA Dhirendra Pratap Singh, alias Rinku Singh.

"Imagine what damage those bumpy roads could cause to a pregnant woman or someone who has undergone surgery," said Neyaj Hasan, a resident of Valmikinagar.

A visitor to Valmikinagar had to negotiate as many as 32 rumble strips between Madanpur and Valmikinagar under division one of Valmiki Tiger Reserve area in sharp contrast to the standard specification which provides for laying strips between 15-20mm in height.

"There were clear deviations from standard specification in the construction of those road-breakers and hence they were removed," said Shyama Sharan Tiwari, executive engineer of the road construction department (RCD), justifying the dismantling. He, however, refused to specify if the new speed- breakers would be laid on the stretch.