Tribal Groups Enforce 18-Hour Bandh In Protest Of Flyover Construction Near Sacred Site In Ranchi

Tribal outfits enforced an 18-hour bandh in Ranchi, Jharkhand, protesting a flyover near Sarna Sthal, a sacred tribal site, maintaining easy access.

The Ranchi-Lohardaga road was blocked near Titla Chowk in Ranchi.

Source : ANI

Members of various tribal outfits took to the streets to enforce an 18-hour bandh in Jharkhand’s Ranchi on Saturday. The protest is against the construction of a flyover near Sarna Sthal, a sacred tribal religious site.

On the outskirts of Ranchi, the protestors were seen burning tyres and blocking roads.

#WATCH | Jharkhand: Tribal organisations in Ranchi call a bandh in the city, demanding that the ramp built as part of Siram Toli-Mecon Flyover project from the Sarna Sthal at Siram Toli, be removed.

The Sarna Sthal at Siram Toli is considered to be sacred for the tribals in… pic.twitter.com/qHoMpegAfR

— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025

According to PTI, the Ranchi-Lohardaga road was blocked near Titla Chowk in Ranchi, while agitators gathered at the city's Kanke Chowk and other areas to impose the bandh.

The number of vehicles on Ranchi's roads was noticeably lower than usual during the morning hours of the bandh.

Ranchi, Jharkhand: People staged protests on the roads as Adivasi organizations called for a shutdown. The protest demands the removal of the Siramtoli flyover ramp from in front of the central Sarna Sthal. Security arrangements have been tightened to prevent any untoward… pic.twitter.com/BuROp5TQ8E

— IANS (@ians_india) March 22, 2025

The protesters are demanding the removal of a ramp under construction in Siram Toli, arguing that it blocks access to the Sarna Sthal and that frequent traffic movements could disturb its sanctity.

On Friday evening, several tribal organisations coordinated a torchlight procession to garner public support for the bandh.

As per PTI, protestors alleged that the government ignored their concerns. The protesters stated that during Sarhul, an important tribal festival, thousands of tribals gather at the Siram Toli Sarna Sthal, and the flyover ramp would obstruct access to the sacred site.

Security Arrangements Made For Bandh In Ranchi

Following the bandh call, the Ranchi police made elaborate security arrangements. Meanwhile, the administration has requested the tribal organisation to hold a peaceful protest and not to cause and trouble to anyone.

As per the PTI report, the district administration issued strict guidelines, stating that supporters of the bandh or chakka jam must not cause any disruption or obstruction to traffic, dignitaries, students, members of educational institutions, or the general public.

The construction of a 2.34-km-long elevated road, including a 132-meter stretch over a railway line, aims to improve traffic flow by connecting Siram Toli to Mecon. The Rs 340-crore project was initiated in August 2022.