Potholes and craters on the Bhuiyandih-Telco Road, with an estimated daily traffic load of over 50,000 vehicles, after the current spell of monsoon rains have literally turned the thoroughfare unmotorable in some of its stretches, and making matters worse, the defunct street lamps in some of the stretches pose mishap threat after sunset.

The Bhuiyandih-Telco Road, which also connects the Jai Prakash Narayan Setu or the Mango bridge, is considered to be a lifeline for this industrial city as truck, trailers and other heavy vehicles use this road for carrying raw-materials for local industries and also transporting finished products.

Apart from heavy vehicles, the road witnesses heavy rush of private vehicles including cars, auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers. A rough estimate suggests that the daily traffic load on that busy road is over 50,000 vehicles (of all categories).

The road is about 10 kms long. It starts from Bhuiyandih and passes through Bhalubasa, Sitaramdera, Agrico, Golmuri, Tinplate and ends in Telco. Of late, because of the monsoon showers craters and potholes have developed on the four-km stretch of the road between Bhuiyandih and Agrico.

The defunct street lamps in some stretches between Bhuiyandih and Sitaramdera pose a threat of mishaps, especially during night.

"The stretch of the road has simply turned unmotorable near the Sitaramdera Bus Terminus. The rainwater accumulates in the potholes and craters, inviting road mishaps," pointed out Ajay Sharma, a teacher by profession and a resident of Sitaramdera.

Mohan Rao, a resident of Agrico who daily commutes on that road, said the unlit road stretches added to his woes.

"We have found that in certain stretches of the road between Bhuiyandih and Agrico, the street lamps remain unlit after dusk. A couple of minor mishaps had taken place on that stretch of the road during the past one week," he said, adding that the damaged stretches of the road is a nightmare, especially for senior citizens and patients.

Local residents are demanding necessary repairs of the damaged portion of the road, for the safety of commuters.

Officials of Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC), the local civic body, have assured that necessary action will be taken soon.

"Certain stretches of the road got damaged due to the recent spell of heavy showers. We are aware of this. We have taken up the issue with Jamshedpur Utilities and Services Company (Jusco). The damaged portion of the road would be repaired soon," said Ravi Bharti, city manager, JNAC, adding that they will get the street lights checked and sort out the problem.