WARD WATCH 

Ranchi: Residents of Burdawan Compound, one of the city's most sought-after residential zones under Ward 20, has been living with a 'teething' problem for many years now- stray dogs turning ferocious after sunset.

With the civic polls 17 days away, residents have made it clear that that they will vote for the candidate who gives them a written undertaking to solve the canine menace.

"In the last two years, over a dozen people were attacked by dogs. On many occasions, we have lodged complaints with the Ranchi Municipal Corporation. Although dogcatchers came to the locality a number of times, they returned empty-handed," said Suman Kumar, a resident of Burdawan Compound.

But that's not the only problem that residents are complaining about. Erratic water supply and open drains are the other big issues.

"There is no fixed timings of supply. Sometimes the taps run dry for two to three days. We have a community well but it is located near a drain. Therefore, the water is not fit for drinking. We have to depend on a community tube well for our drinking water needs," said Akash Kumar Rajak, a resident of the area.

The locality stinks 24/7 because of an open drain which is used to dump garbage.

"Our first demand is construction of a guard wall to make the drain stable and stop soil erosion. During monsoon, houses close to this drain in the low lying areas get flooded," said Lalita Devi, a resident of Lower Burdawan Compound.

Not only Lower Burdawan Compound, other localities such as Dhobi Tola are also affected due to poor drainage.

Though a community building at Lower Burdawan Compound has been built with toilets. it is yet to be handed over to the local residents.

"There were three community toilets in the old building. It was demolished for a new one. But it remains closed. There are at least 10 households which have no toilets. It is very embarrassing to defecate out in the open," said woman who did not wish to be named.

Meanwhile, chief minister Raghubar Das exhorted party candidates to showcase the achievements of the government while campaigning.

The JMM on Friday released its poll manifesto with an agenda to set up four mohalla clinics and a school in each ward if voted to power.

The party has fielded Varsha Gari and Ashraf Khan as candidates for mayor and deputy mayor's post, respectively.