A culvert on a diversion road linking Nayasarai in Pundag, on the fringes of Ranchi, with Ring Road that was washed away on July 12 and reconstructed on July 14 was washed away once again on Monday night following heavy downpour.
The snapped road link has affected a population of 30,000, including 500 schoolchildren, many of whom are risking their lives by climbing the scaffolding of an under-construction bridge to cross the turbulent waters of Pundag rivulet or taking a 5km detour via Jagannathpur.
"The culvert was close to our school and around 100 students crossed it every day. Now, they are being compelled to take a longer route via Kathal More," said a teacher DAV Alok Public School.
Sanjay Mahto, a resident of Nayasarai, said he took a detour to work on Tuesday. "The diversion road offered direct access to Ring Road from Pundag. With the culvert gone, it is of little use to us now," he rued.
Executive engineer of road construction department Sanjay Kumar Sinha conceded the problem, but said it was not unexpected.
"Rainfall was heavy and the culvert was a temporary one (built for commuting till the bridge is ready). However, we will rebuild the culvert in 24 hours," he said, but could not say if the new culvert would withstand another bout of nature's fury.
Yet another culvert on a similar diversion road, connecting New Pundag with SAIL City, is also lying damaged. The diversion is around 8km from the capital.
"The culvert gave us a shortcut to the city via Pundag, Argora and Kadru. In its absence, we are left with no option but to take a detour via Jagannathpur, HEC Township and Birsa Chowk. That route is at least 4km longer," said Devendra Mishra, a resident of New Pundag.
A bridge across Harmu rivulet in Lah Kothi Road area of Hindpiri is again almost underwater. "We are afraid of the bridge getting washed away any day," said Arshad Ayub who runs a grocery store in the locality.
At Niwaranpur, the ravenous rivulet is threatening yet another bridge, prompting anxious parents to warn children against venturing too close. "Do not go to the Ram Janki Tapovan Mandir, the water level is rising," a woman was overheard telling her son.
Many people living along Harmu rivulet are already marooned. "My house has been an island for the past couple of days. When will the administration act and how?" asked Rajesh Gupta, a forest department employee who lives in Ganga Nagar locality.
Ranchi deputy commissioner Manoj Kumar said he had directed all officials in the district to remain on high alert, although there was still no flood-like situation in the capital.
"Orders have been issued to circle officers and block development officers to rush to troubled areas, act on complaints and initiate prompt relief measures. We are also in touch with NDRF, a team of which is on standby," he said.
Report commuting woes due to heavy rain at
ttkhand@abpmail.com
