Repairs to continue through the festive period
Ranchi: The Jharkhand Road Construction Department has instructed its divisions to undertake round-the-clock repairs on important roads ahead of Diwali, Kali Puja and Chhath, with the aim of keeping routes safe as festival-related movement increases across the state. The order covers departmental roads, arterial links, feeder roads, bridges and other associated infrastructure.
Principal Secretary Sunil Kumar said the preparations were required because large numbers of devotees and members of the public were expected to travel during the festive period. The directive places responsibility on divisional and field-level officers to identify unsafe sections, complete corrective work and ensure that roads remain usable during the peak movement days.
Repair schemes have been approved under non-scheme heads in addition to ongoing road projects. The department has also released discretionary funds directly to its divisions. This arrangement is intended to avoid financial and administrative delays in urgent works required before the festivals, according to the report. The decision comes as the department continues reviewing delays in several projects, particularly in Ranchi.
Routes to pandals, immersion points and ghats prioritised
Special focus has been placed on road sections leading to major Kali Puja pandals, immersion locations and Chhath ghats. Officials have been asked to ensure that such stretches are free from potholes and are repaired in accordance with prescribed technical specifications. The instructions apply not only to visible road damage but also to conditions that could create hazards for pedestrians and vehicles during crowded festival hours.
Field teams have specifically been directed to clear sharp gravel, construction debris and other surface irregularities. The measure is significant for Chhath observances, during which many worshippers walk barefoot over long distances while carrying offerings. Removing loose and pointed material from access routes is therefore part of the safety instructions issued to the divisions.
| Priority area | Departmental instruction |
|---|---|
| Road network | Repair departmental, arterial and feeder roads |
| Festival access | Improve links to pandals, immersion sites and Chhath ghats |
| Pedestrian safety | Remove sharp gravel, debris and uneven surface hazards |
| Emergency movement | Prepare diversions with visible signs and safety markers |
Inspections and diversions made compulsory
Ground-level inspections have been ordered across the jurisdictions of the field officers. The teams must identify unsafe stretches and take immediate remedial action, rather than wait for routine project cycles. The department has also asked officials to prepare diversion plans for emergencies and to support those routes with prominent signboards, retro-reflective indicators and suitable road-safety furniture.
The diversion requirement is intended to provide an alternative arrangement if a road becomes unusable or if festival-related movement requires traffic to be shifted. Clear markings and visible warnings will be necessary for people unfamiliar with the affected routes, particularly during evening and night-time movement associated with festive activities. The directive, however, does not specify individual roads, the length of the stretches to be repaired or a separate completion schedule for each division.
Officers warned of accountability
Kumar has warned that officers would be held personally accountable for compromises in the quality or execution of the repair works. Disciplinary action could follow if the required standards are not maintained. The warning makes divisional and field officials responsible for both identifying hazards and ensuring that corrective work is completed before the expected festival rush.
- Repairs are to cover key roads, bridges and feeder routes.
- Access roads to Kali Puja pandals, immersion sites and Chhath ghats have been prioritised.
- Inspections, emergency diversions and road-safety signage are part of the instructions.
- Officials may face disciplinary action for lapses in execution or quality.
For Ranchi residents, the order is likely to affect daily travel as well as movement to religious and community venues during the festivals. Its implementation will depend on how quickly unsafe sections are identified, how efficiently funds reach the divisions and whether repair quality is maintained under time pressure. The department’s emphasis on inspections and officer-level responsibility indicates that field execution will be central to keeping routes traffic-worthy and safer for both vehicles and pedestrians.
