Ranchi's Key Flyovers Exhibit Deterioration, Triggering Commuter Safety Worries
Multiple significant flyovers across Ranchi are displaying concerning signs of deterioration, generating fresh safety apprehensions for thousands of daily commuters who rely on these critical urban arteries. The affected structures include the Siramtoli flyover, Kantatoli flyover, Namkum Railway Overbridge, and the Ratu Road elevated corridor, all of which were originally constructed to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance connectivity throughout the city.
Visible Neglect and Safety Hazards Across Multiple Locations
Residents and regular users report that maintenance efforts have failed to match the escalating usage patterns of these vital infrastructure elements. At the Siramtoli-Mecon flyover, clear indicators of neglect are apparent, including conspicuous paan stains along boundary walls, accumulated garbage on carriageways, and damaged green reflectors on the central divider spanning approximately 200 metres. These compromised reflectors significantly diminish night-time visibility for motorists navigating this crucial route.
"These reflectors serve an essential safety function, particularly during nighttime travel. Presently, they are broken and scattered across the divider," explained Manish, a frequent commuter who regularly traverses this flyover. Similar problematic conditions manifest at the Kantatoli flyover, where multiple lighting fixtures remain non-operational, while litter and loose waste materials lie dispersed across the roadway surface.
Specific Infrastructure Issues at Different Flyover Points
The Namkum Railway Overbridge presents its own distinct challenges, with accumulated dust, loose soil deposits, and slippery patches substantially increasing skidding risks, especially for vulnerable two-wheeler riders. "During peak traffic hours, even a minor skid incident could potentially trigger a chain-reaction accident. This road surface requires immediate cleaning and repair interventions," emphasized Dharamendra Das, a tea vendor operating beneath the flyover structure.
Meanwhile, the Ratu Road elevated corridor, constructed under the auspices of the National Highways Authority of India, confronts issues including malfunctioning street lighting and various public safety hazards. Local resident Shiv Singh recounted a disturbing incident where a father-daughter pair sustained injuries from a stray manjha wire entangled across the flyover structure.
"The manjha wire was suspended across the roadway. They couldn't detect it promptly and both individuals suffered significant injuries. Although it was subsequently removed, such hazardous situations could prove fatal," Singh cautioned, highlighting the urgent need for systematic safety monitoring.
Growing Public Demands for Systematic Maintenance
Residents living near these transportation corridors are increasingly vocalizing demands for regular maintenance initiatives, fully functional lighting systems, comprehensive removal of loose debris, and enhanced monitoring protocols to prevent these flyovers from transforming into high-risk zones rather than remaining safe urban lifelines. The collective concern centers on ensuring these infrastructure investments fulfill their intended purpose of facilitating safe, efficient urban mobility.
Despite mounting public apprehensions, NHAI project director Ekta Kumari has not responded to specific inquiries regarding maintenance schedules and safety enhancement measures for these deteriorating flyover structures, leaving commuter safety questions largely unaddressed by responsible authorities.
