Soso Kalan-Patratu road turns hazardous as deep pothole, damaged culvert threaten commuters

The Soso Kalan-Patratu road in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district has emerged as a serious safety concern for commuters, with a deep pothole opening up in the middle of the road, a damaged culvert and large stretches of the road surface having deteriorated.

The road, constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), has developed multiple defects, with loose stones scattered across the carriageway making it difficult for motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders, to pass safely.

A portion of the culvert has reportedly sunk, while soil erosion around the structure has weakened the edges of the road. The damaged surface and deep pothole have further increased the risk of accidents.

What has raised particular concern among residents is the absence of any barricade, warning sign or other safety measure around the open pothole. The danger is considered greater at night when the damaged portion may be difficult for motorists to spot.

Residents said the deteriorating condition of the road has been known for some time, but no concrete corrective action has been taken by the concerned authorities.

The road is used not only by local residents but also by schoolchildren and two-wheeler riders, making the damaged stretch a potential accident hotspot, they said.

Residents have urged the administration and the concerned department to conduct an immediate inspection of the site, secure the open pothole, repair the damaged culvert and carry out a technical assessment of the entire road.

They said timely intervention could prevent a serious accident and questioned who would be held responsible if an accident occurs despite the visible hazards.