Drainage protests escalate: Residents of Kumhar Toli protest severe drainage issues; Warn of continued demonstrations if unresolved

Ranchi: Residents of Kumhar Toli in ward 21 of the city on Tuesday protested against drainage issues in the area by blocking the road linking Harmu’s main road and VIP Road, raising slogans and demanding immediate redressal.

They also burned effigies of chief minister Hemant Soren, urban housing minister Sudivya Kumar, Ranchi MLA C P Singh and MP Sanjay Seth.

Protesters said overflowing drains for months have made life difficult in the densely populated locality. According to locals, the situation has worsened in the past four months as drainwater accumulated outside homes and on roads.

“The entire area emits foul odour because of stagnant drainwater. We wrote several times to the administration, but nothing has been done,” said resident Rakesh Kumar.

Another resident, Sunita Devi, said schoolchildren faced difficulties crossing the waterlogged stretch every day. “This is a crowded area and people are suffering. Even going to school or work became difficult,” she said.

Some protesters said they also approached local leaders and authorities earlier, but the issue remains unresolved.

Ward councillor-elect Mohammed Ehtesham said temporary measures were taken earlier to manage the overflowing water.

“We deployed a super sucker machine to remove the accumulated drainwater. Earlier, drainwater used to flow through an open ground, but residents later constructed a boundary wall there, which blocked the natural flow and caused it to overflow,” he said.

He said the issue would be addressed after he formally assumes office. “After taking oath as councillor, I will ensure that a proper drain is constructed in the area. Burning the chief minister’s effigy is easy, but responsibility should also be taken by the local MLA, especially since there were no ward councillors for nearly three years,” Ehtesham said.

Residents warned that protests would continue if authorities failed to resolve the issue soon.