The road to freedom can surprising be found in a capital where almost nothing, including the Nagri knowledge hub dream, works.

The almost-complete Section VI of Ranchi Ring Road, measuring 12km, is a classic example of how a thoroughfare overhauls an area’s destiny. Designed to take heavy traffic off the capital’s inner arteries, the stretch signals a strong economic upturn in the rural tracts it runs through.

Section VI, the most important phase of the seven-section showpiece Ring Road measuring over 80 km on the capital’s periphery, connects NH-23 (Ranchi-Gumla) with NH-75 (Ranchi-Daltonganj). The wide six-lane thoroughfare with modern support systems — bays for pedestrians and traffic, drainage and parking — offers many reasons for Ranchi saddled with archaic, cramped roads to exult in.

The new road already has many talking points — a new petrol bunk, an automobile showroom, a nationalised bank, Team India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s proposed farmhouse plot, an educational institute offering management and other courses.

Land rates speak of a giddy economic windfall for people in nondescript villages like Simalia. Landed farmers are suddenly finding themselves rich. The gravy train is also enriching others.

“Five years ago, the per decimal land rates used to vary between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000. Now it sells for a whopping Rs 3 lakh per decimal. If you are interested, I can offer you land at a slightly cheaper rate,” broker and Simalia resident Md Shamiullah told The Telegraph.

Shamiullah, in his early 30s, used to be a farmer before.

Now, as a land broker, he earns over Rs 15,000 a month — often more — and wears branded trousers and shoes. The link between Ring Road and his sartorial uplift doesn’t escape him.

“We are busy and earn well to live a quality life,” he says proudly. “There are jobs, there is business. Most men ride bikes nowadays.”

Khagendra Mahto, a resident of Hazi Chowk area a kilometre away from Simalia, had sniffed the economic boom early.

“I was a petty cattle trader. As Ring Road construction accelerated, I opened a shop of building materials. I sell cement, TMT bars, sand, bricks and do brisk business. Construction activities are on the upswing here since the past two years. Although my sale varies, it is worth at least Rs 10,000 per day,” smiled Mahto.

Showroom Reliable Force with light commercial vehicles of Tempo, Matador and Traveller brands opened shop near Hazi Chowk on October 21. “In a week, we sold two vehicles. Booking offers are pouring in. We see good business in the area,” said manager Harsh Kumar.

Youths of the area are finding jobs in the petrol bunk, showrooms and construction activities.

Bankers endorse their confidence. Canara Bank, that had opened a financial inclusion branch on November 15 here, is doing very well.

“I can’t disclose the amount deposited, but over 4,000 saving accounts and about 15 credit accounts have been opened here in less than a year. We are doing very good business here,” said manager K. Kachhap.

Despite the undeniable feel-good factors, the Ring Road has not been a dream ride for Jharkhand.

Sections I and II are being executed by National Highways Authority of India over which the state government has no control.

The government also needs to pull up its socks when it comes to the jinxed section VII (the link between NH-33 and NH-75, Ranchi-Hazaribagh), the 23km stretch started way back in 2007 during former chief minister Madhu Koda’s tenure. Contractors appointed by the state left midway, completing only 40 per cent of the work. The stretch will cost the state a total of over Rs 156 crore, but budget escalation is not ruled out.

Compared to this, work on 36km of the Ring Road project — from sections III to VI — that started in 2010 with an October 2012 deadline, is relatively smooth. Sections III to VII are being executed by Jharkhand Accelerated Road Development Company Limited (JARDCL), a venture between the state and IL&FS. The first road project under PPP, it is being executed under BOT-annuity basis, when the state will pay a little over Rs 55 crore per year for 15 years as annuity. Concessionaire Jharkhand Road Project Implementation Company Limited has roped in two main contractors based in Gujarat, Sadbhav Engineering and Gokul Krishna Constructions.

Even here, there is a minor bump. Of the 36km stretch, 2km stay unfinished well beyond the October deadline.

Can Ring Road replicate its Section VI success story?

Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com