Traffic woes plague Mango: New Infrastructure Projects Aim to Bring Relief

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur: Mango Bridge, a crucial link for the city, has become a daily nightmare for commuters due to incessant traffic jams. Thousands of residents, including school children, office goers, and travelers heading to railway stations or bus stands, face hours of delay as traffic grinds to a halt near Timken roundabout. Haphazard parking at Mango bus stand and encroachment on footpaths have only exacerbated the problem.

A pile of damaged and defunct buses near the stand further disrupts traffic, leaving pedestrians and vehicles stranded. Addressing the issue, the administration has announced plans to remove encroachments, deploy additional police forces, and clear out unusable buses. However, progress remains slow.

“The situation at Mango bus stand is unacceptable. We are taking steps to remove damaged buses and ensure proper traffic flow,” said a traffic police official. Yet, no clear timeline has been set for these actions.

Relief for weary commuters may come soon. Construction of a new bridge over the Swarnarekha River at Bhuiyandih is underway at a cost of ₹77 crore. The project, which aims to connect Bhuiyandih Litti Chowk to Bhilai Pahari and NH 33, is expected to ease pressure on Mango Bridge by providing an alternative route for heavy vehicles from areas like Agrico, Bagunahatu, and Bara.

“This bridge will be a game-changer,” said Deepak Sahay, Executive Engineer, Jamshedpur. “Once completed, heavy vehicles will no longer need to pass through Mango, significantly reducing congestion.”

Confirmatory boring work has been completed at five out of ten planned sites for the bridge. The construction, handled by M/s Satish Prasad Company, is progressing steadily.

In parallel, the long-awaited Mango flyover is also taking shape. Out of 57 pillars planned, five have been completed, with work ongoing on four others. “We are making every effort to complete the flyover on schedule,” assured officials from the construction company.

Meanwhile, the chaos persists at Mango bus stand, where buses occupy not just the road but also footpaths, leaving little space for pedestrians. Residents complain of worsening conditions and hours lost in jams.

“The administration’s slow response has left us helpless. We hope the new projects bring relief,” said a frustrated commuter.

The administration has also pledged to launch a campaign against encroachments and increase police presence near Mango Bridge. For now, city dwellers wait with bated breath for these promised changes to materialize.