Traffic jam on Straight Mile Road as Tata shuts Jubilee Park gates

JAMSHEDPUR: With the gates of Jubilee Park closed, the rush of vehicular traffic on the Straight Mile Road linking Kadma to Sakchi has abruptly increased, causing frequent jams since Monday.
Residents who normally travel through the park road to reach their destination points on either side of the city are currently negotiating through the busy Straight Mile Road.
“Scores of people living in Kadma, Sonari, Rani Kudar prefer to take the road through the park to reach Sakchi, Baridih, Mango, Agrico, Sidhgora, Bhuyadih,” said Jamshedpur Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union member Ajay Mahato.
“Likewise, people travelling to Kadma and Sonari area from the other end (aforementioned areas) take the park road,” he said.
“Further, Kadma and Sonari people going to the district court, and to long-distance bus terminus also travel through the park road,” said taxation firm proprietor Vijay Goyal.
Besides, the pick-up vans ferrying students of Loyola school, Convent School, Beldih Church, Tarapore School (Dhatkidih), Andhra Association School (Kadma) use this route to drive through to the Sakchi end.
“The road through the park saves time,” said pick-up van owner Partho Ghosh, Kadma resident.
Taking cognizance of the reports of traffic jams, Dhalbhum sub-divisional officer (SDO) Piyush Sinha on Tuesday directed the traffic police to regulate the vehicular movements.
With the permission of the district administration, the company closed the gates from February 20 to March 7.
The SDO said that the gates of the park are closed for a temporary period to ensure risk-free decoration ahead of the foundation day celebration of Tata Steel.
The Tata Steel Utility Services and Infrastructure Ltd (TSUISL), a subsidiary arm of Tata Steel which manages the iconic park, is preparing for founder’s day celebrations on March 3. The Tata group celebrates the day every year to mark the birth anniversary of the founder of Tata Steel, Jamshetji Nusserwanji Tata.