The Ranchi traffic department is readying an alternative route plan to divert vehicles during the construction of the long-pending Kantatoli flyover, the foundation stone for which is expected to be laid anytime soon.
Sources said Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu was likely to lay the foundation stone when he comes to the capital to inaugurate the smart city project on September 9. However, officials in Jharkhand Urban Development Infrastructure Company (JUDICO) said a formal date was yet to be confirmed.
In a review meeting with the urban development department last month, chief minister Raghubar Das had directed officials to lay the foundation stone for the flyover by the end of this month.
On Wednesday, a team comprising traffic SP Sanjay Ranjan Singh and other officials of the urban development department visited Bahu Bazar area to work on alternative routes.
Singh said they had decided to hold the first trial on August 26.
"From Thursday, an anti-encroachment drive will kick off in full throttle to clear routes on which vehicular movements will be diverted," he told The Telegraph.
On August 26, traffic will be restricted on roads leading to Kantatoli as part of the first trial. "We shall hold a second trial for two-three days and gradually make it permanent till the flyover is compelete. I think people will have to face some inconvenience for two years, but we shall try to do our best," Singh assured.
Four roads fork out from Kantatoli Chowk - one goes towards Bahu Bazar and Doranda, another towards Kokar and Booty More, the third to Namkum and the fourth to Dangratoli and Lalpur.
Singh said initially the restrictions would be imposed only on the Bahu Bazar and Kokar stretches.
"Vehicles coming from Doranda or the railway station, won't be allowed to go beyond the turning near Oxford School on Bahu Bazar Road. There is a left turn a few steps ahead of the school that can be used to approach Main Road, Dangratoli and other parts of the city. Alternatively, one can take a left turn from Bazu Bazar side on Karbala Chowk Road," he said.
Vehicles coming from Booty More to Kantatoli will be stopped around 200 metres beyond Kokar Chowk. One will have to take a diversion from Kokar Road to reach one's destination.
"Depending on how things pan out, we shall improvise later," Singh said, adding that the detailed route maps will be released in a couple of days.
JUDICO officials said the acquisition of around 20.277 decimals of government land and 450.38 decimals of private land was underway but the construction work was expected only after Durga Puja. The 1,250-metre flyover on Kantatoli-Booty Road is expected to cost around Rs 37 crore, they said.
"Modi Construction Company has bagged the tender for the flyover, which has to be completed within 24 months from the date of commencement of work," Alok Kumar Mandal, deputy GM of JUDICO, said.
