The Truth About Panchsheel Nagar – Part 5
When Will the Survey, Notices, and Waiting End?
Surveys and notices from 2025 also proved futile; NH-75 had remained blocked for hours during the monsoon
Ranchi. On the afternoon of Friday, June 20, 2025—between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM—the atmosphere at Panchsheel Nagar Chowk suddenly shifted. A large police force was deployed at the location. Several administrative officials were present on-site, including the then-Sadar SDO Utkarsh Kumar and Hehal Circle Officer (CO) Ghanshyam Kumar. Speculation began to swirl among passersby and local residents. Seeing such a significant police and administrative presence, people assumed that major action was imminent regarding the encroachment on the drain—an issue long mired in disputes and complaints.
Upon inquiry, it was revealed that a survey was being conducted of the houses and shops built on the land designated for the drain in the Panchsheel Nagar area. The administration was attempting to determine the extent of encroachment on the drain land—which is said to be approximately 62 feet wide—and to assess the actual situation on the ground.
However, while newcomers viewed this activity as extraordinary, many long-time residents considered it a routine administrative procedure. Some people present at the scene remarked that they had witnessed such actions multiple times over the years. According to them, surveys are conducted, notices are issued, documents are submitted, and inquiries take place, yet ultimately, the matter never seems to progress any further.
Locals noted that a similar survey had been conducted in 2024 as well. Alleged encroachers had been issued notices and asked to submit relevant documents. At that time, too, there had been hope in the area that decisive action might finally be taken. Yet, as time passed, no change in the situation was observed.
During the operation on June 20, 2025, opinions among the public remained divided. One section believed that the administration was serious this time and that a concrete decision regarding this long-pending issue might finally emerge. Meanwhile, another group viewed this merely as another formal procedure. Some locals remarked sarcastically that land measurements and notices were nothing new in Panchsheel Nagar; the real issue was whether any actual action would follow.
A few weeks later, when the monsoon arrived, the scene at the Panchsheel Nagar intersection remained unchanged: rainwater mixed with drain water spilled onto the road. Waterlogging occurred in several places, and National Highway-75 remained blocked for hours. Locals state that this situation arises every year due to the reduced width of the drain and a compromised drainage system.
It was during this period that I published a series of reports regarding the issues faced by Panchsheel Nagar, Radha Nagar, and Shanti Nagar. For over 28 days, I continuously reported on matters such as waterlogging, alleged encroachments on the drain, administrative actions, local grievances, and the statements of concerned officials. These reports aimed to present a detailed account involving documents, historical records, claims made by residents, and administrative procedures.
Amidst the persistent questions and published reports, the local administrative authorities took the matter seriously and issued notices to the concerned parties. A scrutiny of documents began, and various records were cross-verified. The administration was not entirely satisfied after reviewing the submitted documents. Subsequently, facts regarding the alleged encroachment were compiled, a report was sent to senior officials, and correspondence regarding further action was initiated.
It is reported that during this process, various old records, documents related to land measurements, and files concerning the land's status were examined. However, the final administrative decision and its outcome are still awaited.
Today, the most pressing question is: if the land has been measured, notices issued, documents scrutinized, and a report submitted to senior officials, then when will the actual follow-up action take place? Will the questions raised over the years finally be answered? Will the residents of Panchsheel Nagar find relief from the recurring problems of waterlogging and traffic congestion every monsoon? Local residents of Panchsheel Nagar stated that they no longer wish to hear merely about land surveys, notices, and inspections; they want to see tangible results on the ground. For them, this is not just a matter of encroachment but an issue linked to daily life, traffic, drainage, and public amenities.
In the next part...
The Deputy Commissioner's arrival at the encroachment site
Stay tuned — "The Truth About Panchsheel Nagar"
— Reporting: Manoj Mishra
