Ranchi Ward 52 Residents Grapple with Severe Civic Neglect and Safety Hazards
The residents of Ward 52 under the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) are confronting a multitude of persistent civic issues that severely compromise their daily safety and quality of life. The most alarming problems include dangerously positioned overhead electrical wires and a complete absence of street lighting, which collectively create a hazardous environment and restrict the freedom of movement, particularly for women during nighttime hours.
Dangerously Hanging Electrical Wires Pose Constant Electrocution Risk
Residents have identified the perilously hanging overhead electrical wires as their most critical and pressing concern. In numerous localities within the ward, loose and sagging cables criss-cross narrow lanes, presenting a constant and severe threat of electrocution. This danger is significantly amplified during the monsoon season when weather conditions can exacerbate the instability of these wires.
Pradeep Oraon, a resident of Oberia Road, highlighted a specific risk where these overhead wires frequently get entangled with large vehicles passing through the area, creating a substantial potential for serious accidents and mishaps. "Fortunately, no major incident has occurred so far, but the risk is ever-present," Oraon stated. He further expressed frustration, noting that despite the municipal corporation issuing orders last year to streamline and secure dangling wires across the city, Ward 52 has been neglected, leaving the problem entirely unresolved. The community now holds renewed hope for a solution in the near future.
Complete Absence of Street Lights Fuels Fear and Insecurity
Compounding the wire hazard is the widespread lack of street lights in many inner areas of the ward. This deficiency makes movement after dark not only difficult but profoundly unsafe. Kiran Kumari, a resident of the Hatia railway colony, articulated the deep-seated fear and insecurity this causes, especially among women, elderly residents, and children.
"The darkness forces us to feel insecure about stepping out, even for essential tasks, which directly hampers our daily routines and independence," Kumari explained. She emphasized that many young women who return home late from work or tuition classes live in constant fear due to the unlit streets, significantly impacting their sense of security and freedom.
Additional Civic Woes and Political Promises
The situation for Ward 52's residents is further aggravated by other infrastructural failures, including poorly maintained internal roads and inadequate drainage systems in certain areas. These issues become particularly severe and disruptive during the rainy season, adding to the community's distress.
Munna Lohar, a councillor candidate for Ward 52, acknowledged these grievances during his campaign. He pointed out that beyond the immediate civic issues, many residents in the area have yet to benefit from various government welfare schemes. "As I campaign and focus on raising awareness about these available schemes, I am committed to prioritizing the resolution of these critical civic issues if I am elected to the seat," Lohar added, offering a promise of future action to the beleaguered community.
Ward Profile: Encompassing localities such as Lower Hatia, Upper Hatia, Hatia, Patel Nagar, Ekta Nagar, Garhwari, Birsa Chowk, Oberia Road, Latma, and Hesag, Ward 52 is a significant residential zone. According to the 2011 population census, the ward is home to 26,561 residents living across 4,952 houses, all of whom are affected by these ongoing civic failures.
