Ranchi: Ward No 7, comprising predominantly scheduled tribes and scheduled castes, is marred by drainage breakdown, drinking water woes, potholed roads, non-functional streetlights that provide a safe haven for drug addicts after dusk.Lohra Toli Nayak Colony, Khoratoli, Sadan Mohalla, Hotwar, Khatal, and Mahuatoli are among the areas that reel under these issues.A resident of Lorha Toli, Mahavir Lohra, said, “Cases of youngsters gathering in the locality in the evening to take drugs are regularly reported. Locals informed the police, but the miscreants, mostly teenagers, are let off with a warning and a beating on their legs.”Former ward councillor Sujata Kachaap said, “Drug addicts damage the street lights in the areas, where they resort to antisocial or criminal activities. Anand Smriti Nagar, New Birsa Nagar, and Pahan Tola do not have street lights, though the poles have been erected.”Paved roads were laid in their colonies a decade ago, but potholes have formed on many stretches in the absence of maintenance, they said.Moreover, the agency concerned do a shoddy job in filling up the ditches after laying potable water supply pipeline, turning the roads into a bumpy ride for commuters, locals added.Beena Devi said, “Maintenance of public services is poor. Local people contributed and got the deep bore well repaired after seven days.”Another area resident said that if the drinking water supply is disrupted, it takes almost 10 days to repair the amenities. The ward has only one school and no public toilet. Drain water and sewage overflows on to roads.Officer in-charge of the Khelgoan police station, Chandrashekhar Singh, said, “We take action in drug abuse and its related cases whenever we receive complaints. Police patrolling is conducted in the area.”
