Ranchi Municipal Corporation Clears Station Road Encroachments for Smoother Traffic Flow

Ranchi: The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) on Wednesday razed several unauthorised makeshift structures on Station Road, a day after TOI published a report, titled ‘Encroachment on Station Road chokes traffic, RMC promises action’.The encroachments used to create traffic snarls from Ranchi Railway Station to Patel Chowk.“Acting on the directions of the RMC administrator, a special drive was conducted by the enforcement team to make the area encroachment-free,” RMC said in a statement.“Illegal carts, kiosks, and other shops built on the roadside drains were removed. Temporary structures, bamboo poles and other encroachment-related materials made on both sides of the road were seized," said an official.RMC authorities said that strict directives were given to encroachers to refrain from reclaiming the site, failing which punitive action will be taken against them.A resident of railway colony, Saket Singh, said, “Anti-encroachment drives have been conducted in the past but squatters return a few days later. RMC should ensure that the areas, which are being cleared of encroachments, are monitored so that the illegal settlers don’t re-occupy the areas.”“Roadside stalls, especially those selling tea and betel nuts, not only intrude into public space but also become hotspots for anti-socials, leading to safety issues, espcially after dusk,” he added.A commuter, Sudhir Jaiswal, said, “RMC must also cover open drains so that pedestrians are not at risk of falling and sustaining injuries. Unauthorised stops of e-rickshaws and autos are another bane blocking smooth traffic flow.”RMC administrator Sushant Gaurav said, “We appeal to citizens and shopkeepers not to encroach on roads, footpaths, drains, and public places. The civic body will continue with its anti-encroachment drive to ensure smooth traffic flow and curb inconveniences caused to public.”