A dug-up road in the capital. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, March 16: Driving on the roads in the city is the ultimate test for all vehicle owners. They not only have to manouvere their vehicles through heavy traffic, but also have to avoid the ditches created by the telephone and public health and engineering department (Phed).

The Phed has dug up the roads at Albert Ekka Chowk and Shaheed Chowk while the BSNL has created a ditch in front of the main office. The Old Hazaribagh Road has also been dug up for underground cable laying work.

The problem is compounded by the traffic constables, who are rarely to be seen at the traffic intersections. Commuters alleged that the constables take a nap under a shade at the corner of the road. As a result, they have to sort out traffic problems all by themselves.

BSNL general manager N.K. Bhoi said the roads have been narrowed due to the digging but added that all cities face the same problems.

“The roads have been dug up to lay cable ducts. This has been done on a long-term basis so that it is not touched for a long time. The work is expected to finish within a fortnight and things will return to normal then,” Bhoi added.

“The road is narrow here and the ditch has heightened the problem. An accident can occur if one is not careful,” said a scooterist on the Main Road.