The Jharkhand High Court has directed the State Government to coordinate with JUIDCO for the construction of a foot overbridge on Ranchi’s Harmu Bypass Road, observing that road safety measures must be strengthened and periodically reviewed in view of rising traffic and the increasing number of road accidents, particularly involving school-going children.
The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Justice M. S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar while disposing of a suo motu public interest litigation initiated by the Court on the basis of a news report published in one of the Hindi daily newspaper.
The matter concerned the lack of adequate road safety arrangements on the Harmu Bypass Road between Kishoreganj Chowk and Bharat Mata Chowk in Ranchi, along with several other busy stretches in the city, including Birsa Chowk, Dhurwa Road, Sector-3, Birsa Nagar, the High Court premises, Adarsh Nagar, Main Road, Club Road, and Station Road.
Taking note of the compliance affidavit filed by the Executive Engineer, Road Division, Ranchi, the Court recorded that several safety measures had already been implemented on the concerned roads.
According to the affidavit, zebra crossings, divider painting, road markings, and road safety signages had recently been installed on the Harmu Bypass Road to ensure safer movement of commuters, especially school children crossing the stretch regularly.
The Bench also examined photographs annexed with the affidavit showing the steps taken by the authorities. However, the Court observed that the issue of constructing a foot overbridge still remained unresolved.
Referring to the State’s stand that the work fell within the domain of JUIDCO, the Court directed the Government of Jharkhand to actively pursue the matter with the agency, noting that such infrastructure was essential in the interest of public safety because a large number of students used the road daily.
Emphasising that road safety cannot be treated as a one-time exercise, the High Court directed the Road Division authorities to continue maintaining the roads and the safety arrangements already put in place.
The Bench further observed that such measures should be reviewed periodically in accordance with increasing vehicular movement and the high incidence of road accidents so that commuters, particularly children, are not put to inconvenience or risk.
The Court further indicated that merely installing markings and signages would not be sufficient unless the authorities ensured their continuous upkeep and effectiveness on the ground.
Considering the serious implications on the public safety issue, the Bench observed that the administration has a duty to maintain safe road infrastructure in heavily trafficked urban areas.
Accordingly, the Court disposed of the suo motu PIL, after accepting the compliance affidavit and issuing the aforesaid directions.
Case: Court on its Own Motion vs The State of Jharkhand through its Chief Secretary and Others
Case No: W.P.(PIL) No.5842 of 2025
Date of Order: 13.05.2026
Status: Disposed of
