PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, Feb 21: As many as eight elevators at the district collectorate are defunct which is a towering nightmare for those with hindered mobility.
At the same time, Block-B of the collectorate has a deficiency of women’s lavatory with only three of them working that too on the 4th, 5th and 6th floor.
A total of 24 lavatories are in Block-B, out of which only 12 are functional. On the other side, there are many functional lavatories that do not have any demarcation of whether it is for males or females.
Both the visitors and the female workers at the collectorate building have to suffer in the absence of the functional lavatories and have to depend on the ‘Modern Sulabh Toilet & Bath Complex’ that is constructed in front of the collectorate building.
Insiders said that the lavatories are not being maintained and they have to use the lavatory which is constructed outside the building.
“Some of them are operational but are in such bad condition that no one will dare to use them. It is not even cleaned daily and it stinks badly,” an insider said.
The collectorate building also holds a breastfeeding room which is also closed and the visitors are denied service.
The G+5 building at Kutchery Chowk, built-in 2009, is divided into two blocks. Each boasts eight elevators, but of the total 16, at least 8 are officially out of order. Out of the 8 operation elevators, 6 work in Block-A while only 2 work in Block-B.
Built primarily for disaster mitigation, the district’s largest public office currently hosts chambers of the deputy commissioner, deputy collectors, SDO, SSP and SP, besides the records rooms, foreign cell and Pragya Kendra. It has a workforce of 700 and witnesses a daily visitor footfall of 2,000.
“Most of these lifts have been out of order for as long as I can remember. The ones that work are equally dicey. You never know when they might get jammed. Last year, four of us were stuck in one of the lifts for 30 minutes before we were rescued,” recalled Manoj Kumar, a resident of Harmu.
Lila Devi, who is physically challenged, was at the collectorate to submit a driving license application for her daughter. Unfortunately for her, the transport department office is on the fourth floor of Block B.
“Lifts do not work here and there is no ramp. Imagine my torment. Climbing four-five flights of stairs is not easy for people like me. I hope the promises being made this time are not as hollow as before,” said the Chutia resident.
