Triumphant residents of Harihar Singh Road after they broke open the rear gate of Gokuldham in Morabadi, Ranchi, on Thursday evening.

The sewer spill controversy involving the posh residential apartments acquired a new dimension when outsiders, who regularly negotiate the flooded road, demanded an alternate route through the complex. Around 100-odd men, women and children from Harihar Singh Road broke the gate lock around 5.30pm and barged in, prompting police intervention.

"The RMC doesn't care. The mayor doesn't keep her promises. And the apartment residents only add to our woes. Let dirty water flood the road. We want an alternate route through Gokuldham," cried a protester.

Bariatu police rushed to the spot, but couldn't do much. "What can we do? We can't make roads and drains. The RMC and the builder have made a mess of things," said a policeman, adding that a PCR van had been pressed into service in the area on Thursday after reports of stone-pelting since last week.

HN Singh, president of Gokuldham Society, said they were rustling up funds for a soak pit. "The RMC is unlikely to come to our rescue. Each one of us is pitching in Rs 5,000 for a soak pit to stop sewer spill."

On the demand for a way through Gokuldham, Singh said they couldn't allow the same for security reasons. "We promise a soak pit within 30 days. Work has already started," he added.

Picture by Prashant Mitra