ARA BABU BAZAAR TURNS INTO A DEATH TRAP

ARA BABU BAZAAR TURNS INTO A DEATH TRAP

31-OCT-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------If you enjoy adventure, fancy a ‘mud race,’ or crave the thrill of navigating through a maze of potholes, then head over to Babu Bazar in the city of Ara. While the road here might resemble an ‘adventure track,’ those who traverse it do so not for the thrill, but out of sheer necessity.

The road at Babu Bazar in Ara is in a deplorable state, riddled with mud and potholes. Pedestrians, as well as cyclists and motorcyclists, must navigate with extreme caution; a single misstep could lead to a fall into the mud. The patience of the local residents is wearing thin due to the poor condition of the road.

The dilapidated state of the Babu Bazar road has severely disrupted daily life. School children, their parents, patients, and those commuting for work are facing significant hardship.

According to locals, the area houses schools, colleges, and a hospital. Consequently, a large number of children, patients, and their families pass through this route every day. The mud and potholes force them to take risks just to get across.

Residents point out that for patients heading to the hospital—and especially for pregnant women—navigating this road is a daunting challenge. The mud makes it difficult to walk, while two-wheeler riders face a constant risk of slipping and meeting with an accident.

Locals report that several children and their parents have already slipped and fallen while trying to navigate this stretch. The situation has worsened following recent rains; waterlogging and mud have turned the road into a quagmire. Frustrated by the poor condition of the roads and the perceived delay in resolving the issue, local residents have staged a unique form of protest. Posters featuring local public representatives have been put up in the Babu Bazar area. Through the satirical slogans inscribed on these posters, the residents have highlighted the deplorable state of the roads while questioning the accountability of both the administrative system and the elected representatives.

The posters, displayed by the locals, mention the names of Ward Councilor representative Santosh Pandey, Mayor Indu Devi, Member of Parliament (MP) Sudama Prasad, and Minister-cum-local MLA Sanjay Singh 'Tiger'.

The poster featuring Ward Councilor representative Santosh Pandey reads: "I have no power; when elections arrive, I won't just be a leader to the public—I’ll be their 'son'."

A satirical jab on Mayor Indu Devi’s poster states: "Dedicated to the city of Ara—I shall 'build' the city out of mud."

Meanwhile, the poster for MP Sudama Prasad simply reads, "I am currently in the hospital." The poster for Minister-cum-local MLA Sanjay Singh 'Tiger' carries the remark: "Loyal to the party—why bother thinking about the public?"

Local residents explain that these slogans were used to express their dissent and frustration. Through these posters, they aim to highlight that the road issue has persisted for a long time, yet no permanent solution has been implemented.

Local resident Amarendra Kumar, expressing his displeasure with the public representatives and the administration, questioned whether these leaders do not consider the public to be part of their own family. He noted that the issues regarding the Babu Bazar road and the hardships faced by the people have been raised multiple times, yet there has been no tangible improvement in the situation.

According to the residents, despite repeated complaints, neither the Municipal Corporation nor the concerned representatives have taken effective action to clear the mud or repair the road.

The residents mentioned that soil was dumped on the road during the Dussehra festival; however, following the rain, this soil turned into thick mud and a quagmire. This has left the road in an even worse condition than before.

Local residents argue that instead of merely filling the road with soil as a temporary measure, a proper drainage system should be installed and the road should be paved. Until a permanent solution is implemented, people will continue to face these same difficulties during the rainy season.

The poor state of the road is also affecting the shopkeepers in Babu Bazaar. Customers are avoiding the market due to the mud and potholes. Shopkeepers report that the reduced footfall is negatively impacting their businesses.

Beyond the challenges faced by passersby, shopkeepers are also struggling to open their shops and ensure customers can reach them. Residents warn that if the road is not repaired soon, the situation could become even more severe.

Locals have urged the Municipal Corporation and the administration to inspect the road in Babu Bazaar and implement a permanent solution as quickly as possible. They emphasize that, alongside road repairs, an effective drainage system is essential.

According to the residents, simply filling potholes with soil or temporarily leveling the surface will not resolve the issue. The road needs to be paved, and the drainage system must be properly restored to prevent the recurrence of waterlogging and muddy conditions during the rains.