Ranchi: Twenty-two sitting councillors, including 18 women, have retained their seats in the 53-ward Ranchi Municipal Corporation elections, a clear indication that voters rewarded those who improved civic amenities in their respective areas.

Those who retained their seats are Basanti Lakra (ward 3), Hushna Ara (ward 4), Sujata Kacchap (ward 7), Kulbhushan Dungdung (ward 12), Poonam Devi (ward 13), Jermin Toppo (ward 15), Nazima Raja (ward 16), Asha Devi (ward 18), Roshni Khalkho (ward 19), Sajda Khatoon (ward 23), Arun Kumar Jha (ward 26), Ashok Yadav (ward 31), Sunita Devi (ward 32), Sabita Kujur (ward 36), Suchita Rani Roy (ward 40), Urmila Yadav (ward 41), Shashi Singh (ward 43), Rita Munda (ward 46), Kavita Sanga (ward 47), Margret Minz (ward 48), Pushpa Tirkey (ward 50), and Sabita Linda (ward 51). Two among them - Urmila Yadav and Hushna Ara - won the polls three times in a row.

Although delimitation reduced the number of wards from 55 to 53 and altered the boundaries of many seats, almost 50 per cent of the sitting councillors managed to return because of work and popularity. The results of the polls were announced on Friday.

On Saturday, most councillors were already busy working out their next five-year plan for development of their wards.

"This is my third consecutive win in the civic polls. Earlier, I represented ward 44. After delimitation, I contested from ward 41 which covers a major part of HEC. There is no community marriage hall in my new ward. Residents, who are mostly from middle and lower-income groups, can't hire private marriage halls which are very costly. Construction of a community marriage hall is my priority. During campaigning, an old Bengali gentleman had requested me to set up a public library for elderly people. I will get his wish fulfilled," said Urmila Yadav.

Ward 4 councillor Hushna Ara, who also won three times in a row, said water supply and good road connectivity would remain her focus areas.

"Many new localities were added to my ward which were completely neglected in terms of the development," she said.

Basanti Lakra, who won from ward 3, said some new areas were added to her ward where water crisis was acute. "Beautification of Edalatu pond, which was earlier in ward 2, is my priority. I visited Sinduwar Toil where there is shortage of water. At least two water towers -one near Tagore Hill and another at Jogo Hill - are needed to end the water crisis. At the board meeting, I will place the proposal," she said.

Ward 26 councillor Arun Kumar Jha said winning the polls wasn't easy at all. "Earlier, I had won from ward 37. But after delimitation, the entire configuration changed. Around 80 per cent of the localities were shifted to other wards. I had nothing to showcase my achievement because voters were new. People were suffering from water crisis, poor drainage and potholed roads. But people put their faith in me," said Jha.

Ward 40 councillor Suchita Rani Roy said other than roads, drainage and basic amenities, she would focus on improving the condition of schools in her new ward.