Commuters negotiate the diversion created due to construction of the bridge connecting Kadru and Harmu bypass roads. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Jan. 9: For those taking the road that connects Kadru bypass with Harmu bypass, travelling options are limited.

One can either travel 3km extra on a daily basis from Argoda Chowk or brave the makeshift diversion on the bridge under construction — virtually a death trap for commuters.

Though there has been no casualty on the stretch yet, eyewitnesses said as many as 12 two-wheeler riders have fallen from motorbikes in December alone while negotiating the diversion.

Ramesh Kumar, the construction in-charge at the site, said: “If the vehicles’ brakes are not sufficiently effective, major accidents may take place on the route.”

The diversion is such that it goes down about eight feet and then there is a sharp climb. The diversion has slippery mud and the grip required by the tyres of four and two-wheelers is elusive.

While on one side of the diversion lies a ditch, on the other is the dug-up land. The condition has deteriorated since December.

The road construction department started work on the bridge from October last year. A wider bridge replacing the older one is expected to be complete this February.

While the commuters are suffering to the hilt, there is no one to take the blame for the construction of the diversion.

“As there is no provision of allotting separate funds for construction of a diversion, the government has not been able to help,” said R.P. Choubey, an engineer of the road construction department, under whose jurisdiction the area lies.

In the absence of any step by the government, said the contractor carrying out the work, he constructed the makeshift diversion on his own.

But Singrai Tuti, an assistant engineer of the road construction department, pointed out that if the contractor needed extra money for making a “better” diversion, he could have asked for it.

“There is also the provision for supplementary budget in the estimate for creating such diversions,” said Tuti.

He said the contractor concerned had not informed the department about the problems being faced by the commuters over the poor condition of roads.

The chaotic situation on the road has also added to traffic congestion. There are no policemen manning traffic at this point, complained commuters.

“Each time I pass through this diversion in my car, I pray to God to help me through,” said Rajesh Singh, a resident of Kadru, who was crossing the diversion today to reach his office in Harmu.

Dadanjee Sharma, the superintendent of police (traffic), Ranchi, said: “I will find out if there is a need of a traffic constable. If required, I will deploy one to control the traffic at the spot.”