The Truth of Panchsheel Nagar – Part 4
A Game in the Name of Surveys and Documents, or an Administrative Compulsion
Local Residents Allege: "18 years of the same surveys, the same documents, but zero action on encroachment"
RANCHI: In the year 2024, just a few days after starting his journalistic journey in the capital city of Ranchi, correspondent Manoj Mishra witnessed a Municipal Corporation team holding measuring tapes and surveying the Panchsheel Nagar Chowk located on NH-75. Upon inquiring, he was informed that the measurement of the drain and the surrounding land was being conducted to resolve the waterlogging issue that plagues the road during every monsoon.
However, the reactions of the local residents present at the spot were entirely different. They stated that this process was nothing new. For years, the Municipal Corporation and the zonal administration have been conducting surveys and demanding documents, but no decisive action has been taken so far to remove the encroachment on the drain.
On the condition of anonymity, a local resident whispered, “Sir, this has been going on for 18 years. Officials arrive, measurements are taken, documents are demanded, files are created, and then the matter goes cold. If they don't conduct surveys and ask for documents every year, how will the Corporation get bribes? We have been witnessing this for years. The encroachment is visible to everyone, but nobody takes action. This is why there is a buzz among the public that a game of corruption is being played under the guise of these surveys.”
However, this constitutes the personal allegation and perception of several local individuals—claims that M Bharat 24 News Live does not independently verify. Nevertheless, this statement has certainly raised a number of questions. After all, given that complaints regarding encroachment have been on record for years, land measurements have already been conducted in the past, and the administration possesses the necessary documentation, why is it deemed necessary to repeat the exact same process year after year?
Meanwhile, a heavy downpour one evening exposed the ground reality of Panchsheel Nagar Chowk. The crossroads flooded to such an extent that hundreds of vehicles remained stranded in traffic jams for hours. The main entry route to the capital city of Ranchi transformed into a pond. Traffic was severely disrupted, stretching toward Piska More on one side and the Pandra area on the other. The situation was so grim that it was hard to believe this was a major National Highway of Jharkhand's capital.
When attempts were made to get the Municipal Corporation’s stance on the situation, no clear information could be obtained. Despite this, the news was published, highlighting the ground reality, the plight of the local residents, and the vague responses from the Corporation.
Following the publication of the news, several local residents came forward with official documents. They stated that they had submitted formal applications to the Municipal Corporation demanding the removal of the encroachment on the drain and a solution to the waterlogging crisis. It was on the basis of those very complaints that the measurement process had been initiated once again.
As the investigation into the matter progressed, multiple discussions were held with the then Municipal Corporation Administrator, Sandeep Kumar. News reports were published covering various aspects related to the encroachment, the drain land, and the drainage system. During this period, following another heavy spell of rain, Sandeep Kumar personally visited Panchsheel Nagar Chowk to inspect the situation.
According to the locals, this was the first time a senior official had reached the spot to try and understand the root cause of the problem. During the inspection, the encroachments and drainage bottlenecks were assessed, and some temporary solutions were implemented. This sparked hope among the people that a permanent solution to this years-old problem was finally on the horizon.
However, shortly after, Sandeep Kumar was transferred, and the matter was once again pushed to the back burner. Files kept moving and discussions continued, but the encroachment and waterlogging issues remained completely unresolved.
The matter might have fallen silent in the administrative corridors, but the cycle of raising questions did not stop. Correspondent Manoj Mishra’s pen continued to write relentlessly, documents kept surfacing, and accountability was continuously demanded from the administration.
In the Next Part...
Another survey in 2025
Keep reading —"The Truth of Panchsheel Nagar"
Documents will speak, facts will come.
Reporting- Manoj Mishra
