Governor Syed Ahmed on Wednesday expressed his strong displeasure over the capital's continuing traffic chaos despite repeated high court directives by calling an impromptu meeting of senior officials.
Those who received Ahmed's summons included urban development secretary N.M. Kulkarni, Ranchi divisional commissioner Surendra Singh, deputy commissioner K.K. Soan, SSP Saket Kumar Singh and the governor's principal secretary A.K. Pandey.
The governor asked officials to speed up the construction of Ring Road.
When he was told that work was delayed due to hiccups in land acquisition and assured that 75 per cent of the work would be complete by June, the governor asked the team to allow the vehicles on stretches that were complete so as to decongest traffic somewhat.
The 85km Ring Road has been planned in seven phases. Work is in progress in only four. Phase 7, the first one to begin, between Kathitand (NH 75) and Vikas Vidyalaya (NH33), started in 2007.
Ahmed also inquired about three proposed flyovers to which the officials said a detailed project report would be ready by April 12 and actual work would begin from November this year.
Officials also apprised him of plans regarding Transport Nagar, inter-state bus terminus, CNG-LPG fuelled transport, parking and cleanliness.
The governor asked them to get cracking on Transport Nagar and the bus terminus.
He also asked them to start the services of CNG-LPG fuelled transports to check the pollution, asking the team to get in touch with oil companies to set up at least CNG 10 outlets in the capital.
Then, he asked the team to think big.
"Follow Mumbai's traffic model and see what you can pick from it to implement here," he is reported to have said.
He also asked them to lay footpaths along arterial roads and increase one-way traffic.
Ahmed also directed Ranchi Municipal Corporation to take the initiative to keep the capital clean and green by roping in corporate support.
The civic outfit was asked to put up "Clean Jharkhand" and "Green Jharkhand" banners with help from college and school students.
K.K. Soan, deputy commissioner, on the same day, handed a February 21 deadline to auto-rickshaws without valid documents to either submit papers or stay off roads.
In all, 1,855 auto-rickshaws out of 2,586 that had submitted applications had shown ownership and insurance papers and taken permits. The rest of 731 auto drivers had not only not taken permits but were plying on roads with impunity.
"After February 21, the applications will no longer be considered nor will fresh applications be entertained," said Mukul Lakra, district public relations officer.
Soan held a meeting with SSP Saket Kumar Singh, city SP Ranjit Kumar Prasad and other officials.
He also decided to insure rickshaw-pullers under Aam Admi Bima Yojana, under which the Centre and state would bear the premium equally, each paying Rs 100.
In the case of death, kin of the rickshaw puller will get Rs 75,000 and in case of injury, Rs 30,000. "All 18,000 rickshaw pullers in Ranchi will gain," said Lakra.
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