Drug menace, erratic water supply plague residents of Ward 18

Ranchi: Public spaces turning into hangout zones of substance abusers after dark has emerged as a major concern for residents of ward number 18 in the city. Locals alleged that the growing presence of these groups in open areas has made it unsafe for families, women and elderly residents to step out of their homes. They said candidates who want to be councillors of this ward must address these issues.The ward has two ponds that were meant to serve as recreational spots for the residents. However, people now hesitate to visit these locations, especially after dark, as the substance abusers often occupy the areas.“These ponds could have been ideal spaces for evening and leisure walks, but anti-social activities have completely ruined the atmosphere. Every day, after dark, a group of youths sit around the ponds and take intoxicants there,” said Vishwas Kumar, a resident of the Line Tank road.Residents demanded increased police patrolling in the area, proper lighting around the ponds, and urgent attention to basic infrastructure problems. Locals hope the next elected representatives will take concrete steps to reclaim public spaces and improve living conditions in the area.Apart from safety concerns, residents are also grappling with multiple civic issues here. Dangling overhead electric wires in several localities pose a constant threat, while dilapidated roads make daily commuting difficult, especially for the vehicles ferrying patients to the hospitals on the SN Yadav Road in the ward.Rajeev Ranjan, a resident of SN Yadav Road, said, “One of the best hospitals for orthopaedic treatment in Ranchi, Ram Pyari Hospital, is located on this road. But the road leading to the hospital is filled with craters and potholes, making vehicular movement tough. The patients have to go through a roller coaster ride before reaching the hospital, which can make their situation worse.”Locals also raised concerns about the erratic drinking water supply in the ward. “Supply water sometimes does not reach our houses for about a week. In that case, residents have to solely depend on water purchased from the private firms for every household's needs. Even if the water is supplied often, it is often muddy and dirty, which cannot be used for drinking,” said a local, Asha Kumari.Sablu Munda, an aspiring councillor candidate, said that the issues of open drains and a waste transfer unit on the Line Tank Road amid a residential area have also been two of the pertinent issues in the ward.