Work on elevated corridor at Kutchery Chowk picks up pace

RANCHI: These days, the area near Ranchi Collectorate building is a hive of activities. Some areas cordoned off, excavators at work even as traffic whizzes by.
Work on the elevated corridor aims to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity in the area. Citizens expressed happiness with the project as it is expected to ease traffic bottlenecks.
Several trees adjacent to Zakir Hussain Park near the Ranchi Collectorate building had to felled for the construction of the elevated corridor in the area, drawing some criticism from the public. The work has been carried out by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Even as a source in the forest, environment and climate change department said the number of trees felled has not been assessed yet, unofficial estimates state the number close to a dozen.
JUIDCO PRO Ashutosh Singh said the "undergoing construction work is not under their jurisdiction". A source said the elevated corridor is being constructed by NHAI, which is a part of the 3.7 km elevated road being built connecting Ratu Road and Piska More.
Construction work has led to restricted traffic movement in the area, causing some inconvenience for commuters.
Dinesh Yadav, a student of St Xavier's College said construction companies should act responsibly while carrying out such work. "The trees used to provide shadow to pedestrians during summer. As the authorities have now axed the trees, it will add to the problem," he said.
The construction work has led to the temporary restriction of vehicular movement on the stretch of road connecting Circular Road to Kutchery Chowk over the past week, adding to traffic congestion. Among those affected are daily visitors to the Collectorate, which houses the offices of the district's senior officials including the deputy commissioner (DC), sub-divisional officer (SDO), senior superintendent of police (SSP), district transport officer (DTO) among others.
With work on both sides underway, pedestrians said they are compelled to walk on the road as the sides are occupied with numerous stalls.