Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) will start repainting the faded zebra crossings, stop lines and other road markings across the city from next week.
The development comes after the traffic department wrote two letters to the civic body requesting it to undertake the exercise in view of regular complaints from commuters.
“Many people complain that they unknowingly jump traffic signs because the markings on road have either faded away or was not painted properly in the first place. Road markings need to be painted regularly. I had written to the RMC twice in this regard. It will help to control the traffic in a better way,” Ranchi traffic superintendent of police (SP) Ajit Peter Dungdung said on Saturday.
The traffic department had conducted a survey last year and submitted a list of around 100 places across the city that needed a fresh coat of paint as far as road markings were concerned.
RMC is responsible for maintaining the traffic lights and road signage besides notifying parking spaces.
RMC assistant municipal commissioner Jyoti Kumar Singh confirmed the development.
“The work will start hopefully by next week. We will also paint new traffic markings wherever required,” Singh said.
Sources in the RMC said reflector paint would be used for easy visibility at night.
Cat’s eye or road studs, a retroreflective safety device, will be replaced in some of the key stretches of the city next month, the source added.
Commuters complained they were often inconvenienced by the faded road markings.
“A majority of residents have become cautious on road ever since the central government notified the new motor vehicle act last year because a minor violation can attract a hefty fine. They use helmets and seat belts and stop their vehicles at red lights. But the faded stop lines and zebra crossings cause a lot of confusion. I had to cough up money twice after jumping a stop line inadvertently. It was not even visible,” Arun Kumar Mishra, a resident of Kanke, said.
Hinoo resident Amrit Kumar said zebra crossings were not properly marked in several places.
“Zebra crossing is meant for pedestrians who want to cross the road. It also warns drivers to be careful and give right of way to pedestrians. But in Ranchi, you can see black and white stripes on the both sides of cemented road dividers. What should the pedestrians do? Jump over the divider? It’s unfortunate that zebra crossing has no meaning for Ranchi traffic,” Kumar said.