OUR CORRESPONDENT
TEZPUR: The ongoing gas pipeline installation in Tezpur has triggered widespread public anger, with residents accusing the contractor of reckless execution and negligence. The project, undertaken on behalf of North East Gas Distribution Company Limited by Vichitra Construction Pvt. Ltd., has left large trenches and pits scattered across the town, creating traffic chaos and posing serious safety risks.
Several key roads, including busy approach routes to the town centre, have been dug up without proper barricades, signage, or diversions. Commuters report long traffic snarls during the day, while nighttime travel has become hazardous. Locals allege that multiple accidents, some minor, others severe, have occurred when vehicles fell into unmarked pits under poor visibility conditions.
A recent incident in Kachari Gaon has intensified public outrage. At night, a vehicle engaged in excavation work rammed into the boundary wall of a residence belonging to Subhash Biswas, senior advocate of the Gauhati High Court. The house, currently occupied by his younger brother Tapan Biswas, suffered visible structural damage.
Speaking to the media, Tapan Biswas demanded full compensation from the contractor and criticized the absence of safety precautions. “At night, these open pits are nothing short of death traps,” he said. The trench dug in front of the Biswas residence has also caused massive congestion on a crucial road leading into the heart of Tezpur, forcing vehicles into prolonged gridlock during peak hours.
Residents claim the work is being carried out in a ‘dig-and-leave’ manner, with sections abandoned halfway and left hazardous for days. They have appealed to the district administration to ensure that the project was completed swiftly, roads restored immediately, and strict safety measures such as reflective barricades, lighting, and proper warnings implemented without delay.
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