Kamal Ghorui
Ranchi: Lack of water supply, inadequate drainage and narrow, broken roads continue to plague a large section of residents in ward No. 9, which includes colonies such as Bariatu Housing Colony, Dhelatoli, Rani Bagan, Tukitoli, Tiril and others.On entering Dhelatoli — a colony inhabited by both tribal and non-tribal communities — residents are greeted by narrow lanes and open, choked drains. Locals said the drains overflow even during moderate rainfall, making it difficult for thousands of residents to step out of their homes.Ramesh Kumar Soni, a resident, said, “With people leaving no space in front of their houses, constructing proper drains has become difficult. In some areas, the drains are uncovered, which further reduces road width and poses accident risks.”Another resident, Y.P. Singh Munda, said, “Due to the absence of drains, low-lying areas witness waterlogging during the monsoon. People also tend to dump household waste in open spaces, leading to waste accumulation at several points.”Residents said narrow roads in colonies such as Rani Bagan, Bariatu Housing Colony and along the Cheshire Home Road have become a major cause for concern.Drinking water supply is another persistent issue, particularly in Dhelatoli. Vivek Toppo, a resident, said, “There is no piped water supply here, forcing people to depend on borewells, many of which dry up during summer. Under such circumstances, residents have to rely on neighbours who have water at that point in time.”Residents also pointed to varying groundwater levels in the area, with some stating that borewells have to be dug up to 270 feet, while others reported finding water at around 80 feet. Many demanded the installation of solar-powered Jal Minars to ensure a regular water supply.Sarvesh Kumar, a resident of Indraprastha Colony, said that government water supply is available in his area.Non-functional street lights were cited as another major concern across several colonies. Bimla Devi, a shopkeeper in Dhelatoli who has lived in the area for the past 25 years, said, “Street lights do not function in many places. I had to replace the light on the pole in front of my shop at my own cost.”
