Ranchi Residents Battle Sanitation and Water Crisis in Wards 32 and 33
Residents of Ward 32 and 33 in Ranchi are facing a severe public health crisis due to poor sanitation services, accumulating waste, and a critical shortage of clean drinking water. Local inhabitants have raised serious allegations regarding the highly irregular sanitation services in both wards, which have led to garbage heaps piling up along roadsides, near residential areas, and at street corners. This situation has created unhygienic conditions and a persistent foul odour, significantly impacting the quality of life.
Ward 32: Garbage Accumulation and Water Scarcity
In Ward 32, several localities including Panchsheel Colony, Tel Mill Gali, Adarsh Nagar, Shahdeo Nagar, and Vikas Nagar are among the most severely affected areas. Residents have consistently complained that garbage is not lifted on a regular basis, and drains frequently remain clogged, exacerbating the sanitation problems.
Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Adarsh Nagar, expressed his frustration: "Garbage remains lying for days, attracting stray animals and mosquitoes. Children and elderly people are the worst affected, but repeated complaints did not yield any permanent solution."
Adding to the woes, water scarcity has become a pressing issue in Ward 32. Numerous localities fall under dry zones, where residents struggle to access clean drinking water. Rita Devi of Panchsheel Colony highlighted the problem: "Sometimes water does not come for days, and when it does, the quality is poor. We are forced to buy water or depend on private sources."
Call for Action and Government Intervention
Aspiring ward councillor Geet Kujur emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that cleanliness and access to drinking water are fundamental rights of the residents. Kujur pointed out: "There is an urgent need for systematic waste management and deep boring projects by the municipal corporation to address water scarcity. Government welfare schemes also fail to reach many eligible families due to lack of proper monitoring."
Ward 33: Additional Infrastructure Challenges
Residents of Ward 33 are confronting similar sanitation and water issues, compounded by additional infrastructure problems. Areas such as Anand Nagar, CCL Colony, Major Kothi, ITI, Loha Singh Marg, Indra Nagar, and Utkal Colony are plagued by waterlogging, broken roads, and inadequate drainage systems.
Manoj Singh, a resident of Indra Nagar, described the difficulties: "During the rainy season, water accumulates on roads because there are no proper drains. Street lights are either damaged or non-functional, making it unsafe to move at night."
The combined challenges in both wards underscore a broader municipal failure in providing essential services. The accumulation of waste not only creates unhygienic environments but also poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. The water scarcity issue forces residents to rely on expensive or unreliable alternatives, further straining household budgets.
Addressing these problems requires immediate and coordinated efforts from local authorities. Implementing regular waste collection schedules, improving drainage infrastructure, and ensuring a consistent supply of clean drinking water are critical steps. Enhanced monitoring of government schemes could also help in delivering benefits to eligible families, as highlighted by community leaders.
The ongoing struggles in Ranchi's Ward 32 and 33 serve as a stark reminder of the importance of robust municipal governance and the need for proactive measures to safeguard public health and well-being in urban areas.
