36 hour blockade in Karimganj over poor roads

From our Special Correspondent

Silchar, October 5: Enraged and agitated people of Karimganj district under the banner of ‘Rasta Bachao Committee’ have united to raise their pitch to create pressure on the state government for the immediate plan of action to make tiol Highway 6 motorable. In support of their demand, the Committee has given a call for 36 hour blockade and wheel-jam from today across the district. As a mark of solidarity, all the organizations, political, social and civil, have forged a common platform. Irrespective of party and ideological differences, people have join together to ensure that the blockade becomes successful to jerk and jolt the state government. It is significant that the unimous decision was taken on Sunday in Bhanga, once a buzzing port, 10 km from the border town, in a public meeting. Speakers who were on the dais presided over by the social worker Emad Uddin Kha lambasted the Tarun Gogoi Government for turning a blind eye to the problems and agonies of Barak Valley people.

As already pointed out, all the five tiol Highways which crisscross the valley have turned into a nightmare. The most important link called NH 6, regarded as the lifeline not only of this valley but also of the three neighbouring states has created a condition through which no vehicle, heavy or light, can pass. Both for travelling people and vehicular traffic, the Highway has become a nightmarish experience. There is virtually no trace of the Highway as this picture shows. Hazi Kamrul Islam, Dr. Nilay Paul, Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Syed Uddin and Sitangshu Roy in identical manner articulating their deep anguish said people are no more going to be blackmailed by the false promises and assurances of political leaders. It is also surprising, as pointed out, no minister or parliamentary secretary now visits the Highway and talks to people. They also could not understand in whose interests and at whose behest all the Highways of this valley have been taken over by state PWD (R) from the BRTF.

Now, it is heard that different amount of money for improving the NH 6 has been sanctioned which varies from Rs 10 crore to Rs 20 crore and Rs 30 crore. In fact, an official and dependable source has pegged the amount at Rs 3 crore only. The most important question plaguing their mind is how the money is spent on the repair or upgradation of a Highway without any accountability. This brings into focus the famous politician-bureaucrat-contractor nexus, the greatest bane in the development of this valley. Along with the common people and vehicular traffic using this NH 6 in particular linking Tripura, students of schools, madrasas and colleges are worst sufferers. It is also amazing that nearly two weeks are barely left for the festive season of Durga puja, there is no sign of any work on the ground. All sections of people have been called to support the blockade and wheel-jam.

Certain questions do arise about the package of Rs 1000 crore sanctioned by the Chief Minister just on the eve of 2011 Assembly elections. What about the fund so allotted for development? Instead of indulging in free doles of crores of rupees, the priority of the Chief Minister should have been on highways and roads. Moreover, if the NH 6 can be maintained in a proper manner in Tripura, what goes wrong in Assam?