Residents of Sheikhpura Colony disrupt traffic movement to protest against non-availability of power and water in Patna on Monday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna, April 25: Commuters on Bailey Road were in for a shock this morning when they found the thoroughfare blocked by nearly 500 residents of Sheikhpura Colony in protest against the dual menace of the unavailability of water and power.

The agitated residents burnt tyres on the road and pelted stones at police and private vehicles, damaging a few cars. Hapless pedestrians, who came in the firing line, had to bear the brunt of angry protesters.

Alarmed by the situation, the authorities called Vajra anti-riot vehicle and cordoned off the area. The situation came under control only when Ravindra Kumar, chief engineer, water department, Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC), reached the spot accompanied by the officials concerned.

Sources said the police and the authorities had allowed the situation to go out of control as they arrived on the spot two hours after the blockade started at 8.30am.

“We do not have water or power for the past 15 days. In summer, the use of water increases but the area is in a grip of acute power and water shortage. Lack of necessities like drinking water has forced us to come out on the road,” said Sheikhpura resident Avadesh Kumar.

He said: “We had no other means to wake up the government and the administration.

“The water pump provided by PMC is not working at all. Only electric pumps are working when there is power. Most of us have to buy water from vendors. We are poor people, we cannot afford to buy water everyday,” said Avadesh.

The protesters shouted anti-government slogans and blocked the entire stretch from Sheikhpura to Ashiana Nagar. The residents also demanded that private boring should not be allowed as that had led to the water scarcity.

They also vented their ire on the urban development and housing minister Prem Kumar.

“The minister is talking about making Patna better. I think he has gone mad. There are so many problems in Patna. He should stop trying to fool the people as he is good for nothing,” said Chandan Kumar, a protester.

Abha Lata, the councillor of PMC ward number 4, was also present at the protest site. She said: “I have visited chief minister Nitish Kumar’s janata darbar a number of times and informed him about the problems faced by the residents of the area. But the administration has not taken any action as of yet.”

Rajiv Verma, another protester, said: “The water pumps in the area need repairs. Several complaints have been lodged but the authorities are just sleeping. The man deployed to release water at 5am does so only at 6.30am. Then, at 9am, the water supply just stops. Most of the residents have to buy water from shops.”

Kiran Devi, another protester, said there was not a single functional handpump in the area.

The blockade was finally lifted around 12noon, when Ravindra assured the residents that steps would be taken to address their grievances. “I will issue a memorandum to the person concerned. Necessary steps will be taken in this regard,” said the chief engineer.