Ranchi's Wards 19 and 20 Confront Chronic Parking and Traffic Woes
Residents of Wards 19 and 20 under the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) are enduring persistent parking and traffic congestion problems, exacerbating existing civic challenges such as open drains and tangled overhead electrical wires. These prominent wards experience frequent traffic snarls due to unregulated parking, creating significant inconvenience for both local residents and daily commuters.
Ward 19: Hospital Zones Paralyzed by Parking Chaos
Ward 19, encompassing critical healthcare facilities including Debuka Nursing Home and Ram Pyari Hospital on SN Yadav Road, suffers from vehicles parked indiscriminately along narrow road stretches. This leads to severe congestion and operational delays, particularly during peak hours and medical emergencies. The ward covers key areas such as Karamtoli, Nagratoli, SN Yadav Road, Deputy Para, Harihar Singh Road, Radium Road, and Annapurna Chowk.
Compounding the issue, pothole-ridden sections of SN Yadav Road near hospital access points further hinder patient and visitor mobility. Vishal Ranjan, a resident of SN Yadav Road, highlighted the absence of designated parking spaces, stating, "During peak hours, vehicles visiting hospitals combined with regular traffic bring movement to a complete standstill. The road urgently requires widening and proper parking facilities to ensure smoother traffic flow."
Ward 20: Government Zone Struggles With Enforcement Failures
Ward 20, which includes the Governor’s House, faces parallel challenges. Commuters report that inadequate designated parking spaces and poor enforcement of traffic regulations have resulted in extensive roadside parking, choking already congested thoroughfares. This ward covers Upper Bazar, Gaushala Chowk, Mahavir Chowk, Gandhi Chowk, Lok Bhawan, and Ratu Road Chowk.
Local residents note that the lack of designated auto stands near Lok Bhavan has led to haphazard parking, intensifying commuter difficulties. Sunil Yadav, a local resident, expressed frustration, saying, "Despite being a high-security zone, this area has received minimal attention from authorities. Auto rickshaws park in large numbers on the road, causing persistent congestion—a problem that has persisted for years without a permanent solution."
Another resident, Rupesh Kumar, described how congestion near Lok Bhawan escalates during peak hours: "Vehicles from the Ratu Road flyover merge with traffic from the Lok Bhawan side, and the disorderly parking of autos further worsens the situation."
Broader Civic Issues Amplify Traffic Troubles
The parking crisis in these wards is not an isolated issue but part of a larger pattern of civic neglect. Open drains and tangled overhead wires add to the urban decay, while the absence of systematic parking management reflects broader governance gaps. Residents and commuters alike are calling for immediate interventions, including:
- Designated parking zones with clear markings
- Enhanced traffic rule enforcement by authorities
- Road widening projects, especially near critical facilities
- Establishment of proper auto stands to reduce roadside clutter
Without these measures, the chronic parking problems in Wards 19 and 20 are likely to persist, undermining the quality of life and urban mobility in Ranchi.
