Jharkhand News : Travel on the crucial Khunti–Torpa–Kolebira road, connecting Ranchi with Khunti, Gumla, Simdega, as well as Odisha and Chhattisgarh, has turned perilous. Following heavy rains in June, the bridge over the Banai river near Peloul village collapsed, forcing vehicles onto fragile rural detours.
Traffic is now being diverted through Kunjla–Jurdaga–Gamharia–Angrabari or via Martin Mangla and Itthe Ganloya, while some vehicles take the Karra–Torpa stretch. The surge of heavy vehicles on these narrow rural roads has left them badly damaged, leading to frequent accidents.
No Diversion Even After Three Months
Despite three months passing since the collapse of the Banai bridge, no diversion has been constructed, nor has bridge repair begun. Authorities floated a tender worth ₹1.8 crore nearly a month ago, but work is yet to start. Local MLA Ramsurya Munda had assured that the tendering process was complete, with construction expected once rains subsided.
Villagers Bear the Brunt
Alternative rural roads are rapidly deteriorating, with deep potholes and eroded flanks making them hazardous. At Gamharia village, a four-foot-wide crater has appeared in the middle of the road, often trapping vehicles. A broken water pipeline has worsened the situation by continuously flooding the area, making it even more dangerous. Residents warn that a major tragedy could occur at any moment.
Fear, Inconvenience, and Anger
Villagers say they are living in constant fear, especially children commuting to school and women crossing roads for water. Locals accuse both officials and politicians of ignoring the crisis. Despite repeated pleas and a memorandum submitted to MP Kalicharan Munda and MLA Ramsurya Munda, no visible action has been taken.
Frustrated villagers warn that if urgent repairs and bridge construction do not begin soon, they will be forced to take to the streets in protest.
