Ranchi Ward 34 Civic Crisis: Garbage, Drainage, Water Scarcity Plague Residents

Ranchi: Residents of ward number 34 under the Ranchi municipal corporation (RMC), which covers large parts of Hehal Pahartoli along with sections of Harmu and Argora, said that they continue to grapple with a range of civic issues, from irregular garbage collection and poor drainage to water scarcity, power cuts, and rising crime.Ward 34 has drawn attention in the Feb 23 municipal elections, with 22 candidates contesting — among the highest — in the city.Locals said the absence of a reliable waste disposal system has forced many to resort to dumping and burning garbage in empty plots.A resident of Lalit Narayan Mishra Colony, Manoj Kumar, said, “The garbage collection vans rarely come to the colony. They demand extra money when we request them to come regularly.

And they show up only once or twice a week even after we pay them. There is no support from the civic body.”Poor drainage is another pressing concern. Residents alleged that drains constructed in the area are rarely cleaned, leading to wastewater overflowing on to streets.A resident of Pahartoli, Dilip Baraik, said, “Stagnant drain water near homes poses health risks. We do not allow our children to play outside. Garbage disposal is another challenge.

I travel nearly half a kilometre daily day to dispose of waste as there are no dustbins in my neighbourhood and collection vans do not come.”Water scarcity, particularly during summer months, has also emerged as a major issue. A resident of Munda Toli in Hehal and first-time councillor candidate, Kiran Bando (30), said, “Residents are often forced to purchase water from private tankers. I decided to contest the elections because I realised that if we want change, we have to take the initiative ourselves.”A resident of Bajra Pahartoli and another first-time candidate, Mukesh Nag Mirdha, said, “Long-pending civic issues and concerns over rising crime prompted me to enter the fray. Garbage, drainage, and water problems have persisted for years. Crime is also a serious concern. My manifesto includes installation of CCTV cameras to cover all roads and corners. It was time someone stepped forward.”