Letters To The Editor: Flyover at Dispur

Flyover at Dispur

The newly constructed flyover at Dispur opened to the public on Diwali is a milestone in the execution of big projects in Assam for its completion much ahead of schedule by an Assamese contractor. However, the purpose for which the flyover was constructed may not be fulfilled because of its design. The flyover has only a one-way track which may not ease the traffic congestion common in that busy junction. The flyover can be used by vehicles proceeding towards Khanapara or Basistha but vehicles headed towards Ganeshguri and beyond cannot use the flyover as it is not wide to accommodate both inbound and outbound traffic. City buses bound for the Basistha route may not be inclined to use the flyover due to the loss of passengers en route its stops. This will cause jams below as being witnessed now since vehicles proceeding towards Down Town Hospital and also towards the residential areas there will also use the narrow road below the flyover. The ideal solution would have been a diversion at Down Town Hospital from the new flyover as had been done in the case of Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha flyover at Ganeshguri had the flyover been constructed for two-way traffic. Whether the new flyover has deviated from the original plan is not known as there is no need for this one-way flyover where segregation of traffic by the construction of concrete dividers could have addressed the congestion issues to a great extent. Perhaps this will be the first flyover where the two-way movement of vehicles is restricted.

City /urban planners have long held the view that flyovers are no answer to intolerable traffic jams witnessed. Wider roads, better policing, reliable and efficient public transportation and proper long-term planning hold the key to dealing with traffic nightmares.

Rajib Sarma,

Guwahati

Awful wastage

The ruling NDA Government is agog with victory celebration of winning all the five Assembly seats in the bypolls held on 30th October in the state. However, there was no reason or cause that warranted bypolls in three constituencies at Mariani, Thowra and Bhabanipur as these seats were duly won by the same elected MLAs in the last Assembly polls, 2021. The repoll in these three constituencies was thrust on the voters that cost awful wastage of public money and misuse of time and energy. These three MLAs later jumped their respective parties (two Congress MLAs and one AIDUF MLA) but publicly announced that they want to actively take part in development works being pursued by the BJP led NDA Government in the state which, as they contend, was not feasible being an opposition MLA, a plea which is not easily believable on its face value. Each of the MLAs of both the ruling and opposition is entitled to a fund of 2 crores per year under MLA LAD (Local Area Development ) scheme which is provided in the State's Planned Budget that enables the MLA to undertake special developmental works in his/her constituencies. Undoubtedly, if an MLA is surely interested in the development of his constituency he can actively involve himself in proper utilization of MLA LAD fund year on year basis for public welfare. Actually, a trend has been set in politics that the political leaders have gravitated towards the ruling party for power and pelf but they publicly convey their interest in serving people which is all but hogwash. God knows how much empathy do these leaders have for public discontent and anger over skyrocketing prices, livelihood issues, unemployment et al?

Pannalal Dey

Guwahati.