PROTEST AMIDST MUD

PROTEST AMIDST MUD

1-NOV-ENG 7

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------The patience of local residents, fed up with the poor condition of the road, waterlogging, and mud in the city’s Babu Bazar, has finally run out. On Saturday, local residents and shopkeepers staged a sit-in protest, sitting right in the mud on the road. They state that the road has been in a poor condition for a long time, yet despite numerous complaints, no permanent solution has been implemented.

Babu Bazar Road is riddled with potholes and covered in mud. Pedestrians, as well as cyclists and motorcyclists, are facing significant difficulties. A single misstep could lead to someone falling into the mud and sustaining injuries. The deplorable state of the road is causing increasing hardship for local residents, shopkeepers, schoolchildren, and patients.

District Council member Dhananjay Yadav expressed his displeasure regarding the condition of Babu Bazar Road, noting that the area is a vital hub for education and commerce. It houses three schools, a women’s college, numerous business establishments, and clinics belonging to well-known doctors.

He alleged that while citizens deserve a clean and safe environment, the responsible officials and elected representatives do not appear to be taking the issue seriously. He emphasized that Babu Bazar—named after Babu Kunwar Singh—holds a certain prestige, and it is the duty of the Municipal Corporation, the district administration, and elected representatives to ensure the maintenance of basic infrastructure.

During the protest, District Council member Dhananjay Yadav warned that if a prompt and permanent solution is not found by the end of the weekend, a road blockade will be staged on Monday at the 'Chabutara Mor' near Ramna Maidan, close to the women’s college.

He asserted that the local residents remain firm in their demands and will not back down under any pressure. Meanwhile, in response to the public's plight, the Municipal Corporation has begun the process of clearing away the mud-laden soil. Santosh Pandey, a representative for the ward councillor, arrived at the protest site and explained that the road in Babu Bazar does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation, but rather under the Road Construction Department (RCD). He stated that the RCD has submitted a proposal for the construction of the road to BUIDCO (Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation).

According to him, the road has also been measured using online methods and GPS. The measurements indicated that the width of the road near Mahadev Road is approximately 12 feet. Based on this, an estimate for a 12-foot-wide road has been prepared.

Meanwhile, local residents emphasize that they do not want mere assurances; they demand tangible action on the ground within a set timeframe, as navigating through mud and potholes daily has become extremely difficult for them.

Following a four-day-long protest—which included a sit-in staged amidst the mud on Saturday—the Municipal Corporation initiated temporary measures. Municipal workers began clearing the mud from the road.

For now, the Municipal Corporation is attempting to provide some interim relief. However, the primary demand of the local residents remains a permanent solution for both the road and the drainage system.