Jamshedpur’s Ramjanamnagar residents struggle with poor infrastructure and civic amenities

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, August 9: Ramjanamnagar, a 25-year-old colony located in Kadma, is grappling with severe infrastructure and civic issues despite its growing population. The colony, which has expanded towards Marine Drive and Bhatia Basti, houses over 5,000 residents in more than 1,500 homes, many of which are concrete structures built by retired company workers.

The most pressing concern for residents is the lack of proper water drainage. Open drains filled with filth run through the colony, with dirty water flowing beneath slabs at the entrance of every house. This not only creates a foul odor but also leads to mosquito breeding, posing significant health risks. During the rainy season, the situation worsens as water enters homes, making it nearly impossible for residents to leave their houses for months.

Road infrastructure in Ramjanamnagar is in a dire state, with incomplete construction leaving some areas with paver blocks and others with broken or unpaved surfaces. The colony also suffers from unreliable electricity supply due to the poor condition of transformers and wires. While poles for street lights have been installed, many remain non-functional due to blown fuses.

Sanitation is another major issue, with irregular garbage collection by the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) leading to piles of waste accumulating in the streets. Residents complain that local representatives rarely visit the area except during election times, when they make promises that are seldom fulfilled.

Several residents, including J.P. Singh, Sukhen Mahato, Rajesh Sardar, Selai Ho, Malti Mahato, and Kunti Das, have voiced their frustrations with the lack of basic amenities and the challenges they face daily. They highlight the disparity between the concrete houses and the slum-like conditions of civic facilities.

In response to these concerns, Krishna Kumar, Suburban Commissioner of JNAC, claims that there have been improvements in cleanliness and water drainage. He states that schemes are continuously being implemented to restore civic amenities, with current priorities being road construction and drain development. However, residents remain sceptical, as they continue to struggle with inadequate infrastructure and neglect from local authorities.