Ranchi Flyover Inauguration Delayed to 3 July
The inauguration of the much-awaited Ratu Road flyover in Ranchi has been postponed to 3 July, shifting from its original date of 19 June. The delay was confirmed by Ranchi MP and Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, who cited the unavailability of Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari as the reason.
Constructed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the 4.18-kilometre flyover has been developed at a cost of Rs 2.91 billion. According to site manager Anand Kumar, the corridor connects NH-23 near Pandra with NH-75 and features two lanes at one end and four lanes at the other. It is equipped with bulletproof and soundproof barriers, along with significant plantation work along its stretch. Once operational, the flyover is expected to greatly ease traffic congestion on the busy Ratu Road.
While the delay in inauguration has given the city more time to prepare, it has also intensified political and public debate regarding the naming of the flyover. Several political parties, community organisations, and social groups have come forward with competing proposals.
The JMM and Congress parties have urged that the flyover be named after former Chief Minister Shibu Soren, calling it a tribute to his role in the Jharkhand statehood movement. “It is the will of the entire state,� said JMM General Secretary Vinod Pandey.
In contrast, the BJP has proposed naming the flyover after a national icon with an unblemished legacy. BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo emphasised that the name should reflect national pride and historical integrity.
Members of Ranchi’s Bengali community have advocated for naming the structure after Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, recognising his vision for a unified India. Meanwhile, the Kesharwani Vaishya Samaj suggested Bishweshwar Prasad Kesari, a noted historian and Jharkhand movement leader, as a worthy namesake.
Further, Rashtriya Yuva Shakti, a social organisation, has requested the flyover be dedicated to martyr Abhishek Kumar Sahu, who lost his life in Leh-Ladakh in October 2020 while serving the nation.
As the city awaits the inauguration, the extra time has opened the door for continued discussions on the flyover’s final name, turning the project into a focal point of civic and political identity.