Kolhan’s lifeline crumbles: Rs 333-crore road in ruins, repairs reduced to photo-ops

By Sanjay Mishra

Seraikela, Aug 21: The Kolhan region’s lifeline, the Chaibasa–Seraikela–Kandra–Chowka highway, built at a cost of Rs 333 crore, is once again in shambles. Once as smooth as a cheek, the road is today riddled with potholes, leaving commuters frustrated and vehicles crawling despite toll and road tax collections. Even ambulances carrying patients can be seen inching forward, while families pray to God for timely arrivals.

As in every monsoon, the damaged highway has once again triggered chaos. After loud protests and complaints, a patchwork exercise has begun—potholes filled with loose gravel and chips, ceremoniously presented as “repairs.” The sight quickly turned into a publicity stage: local leaders and activists clicking photographs, uploading them on Facebook and WhatsApp and claiming their “struggle” had paid off. Meanwhile, the contractor company portrayed itself before the administration as dedicated and efficient. The reality, however, is different—between Kolabira and Dugni, the so-called repairs remain limited to filling surface craters, leaving commuters still battling rough rides and rising tempers.

The photo frenzy
Social media has become the new battleground for activism and publicity. In recent weeks, protests ranged from submitting memoranda to even symbolic paddy-planting on the broken road. These theatrics made headlines and went viral online. With administrative pressure mounting, the construction firm finally moved in with repair work. But here too, cameras clicked more than machines worked and citizens soon realized their journeys would remain bumpy except for a few patched stretches.

What representatives say
District Council member Shambhu Mandal of Kolabira emphasized that this road is not just any highway but Kolhan’s very lifeline. “Industries, offices, schools, healthcare and urban connectivity—all depend on this stretch. If potholes emerge every monsoon, it raises serious questions about quality. Instead of repeated patchwork, a permanent solution is needed,” he asserted.

A bitter irony
Interestingly, locals note a peculiar side effect—reduced accidents. Once a slick highway notorious for frequent mishaps, the road has now slowed down traffic so drastically that accident figures have dropped. But danger still lurks: crashes continue when impatient drivers try to speed through potholes or show off reckless manoeuvring skills.

For now, Kolhan’s so-called lifeline limps along, a Rs 333-crore project reduced to pothole patches and photo-ops—symbolizing neglect, frustration and the harsh reality of monsoon-bound roads.