Bridge over Subansiri at Ghagar Ghat in Lakhimpur a distant dream for the people of greater Ghunasuti area

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: The people of greater Ghunasuti area, the historically famous landscape in the district of Lakhimpur are not only affected by the massive erosion of the Subansiri River and the poor academic infrastructure but also severely hit and annoyed by the poor road connectivity. During the long 72 years of the post independence period of the nation, the hardworking people of the area have to communicate with the district headquarter by the medium of the medieval period as the bridge over the Subansiri River at Ghagar Ghat is still a long pending demand.

It is noteworthy that the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra has turned Ghunasuti, though the area is only a seven kilometres away from Lakhimpur district headquarter, a place where angels fear to tread by separating it from the mainlands of the district. For the development of such an outreach area, an easily accessible road communication system is undoubtedly inevitable. But it has not happened till today. Under such circumstances, the people, not only of Ghunasuti, but of Dhakuakhana, North Lakhimpur and Majuli have demanded the district administration and the State governments to construct a bridge over the river. But the successive governments have allegedly not shown goodwill with regard to constructing the same for the development, betterment and the welfare of over twenty-five thousand population of Ghunasuti. Notably, the distance between North Lakhimpur and Dhakuakhana is over 85 kilometres. If there had been a bridge over the Subansiri the distance, via Ghunasuti, would have been reduced to only 35 kilometres. Similarly, the island district of Majuli could have also been easily reachable with a passable, short distance.

On the contrary, the people of the larger geographic area have suffered a lot due to the want of the bridge. Further, the inhabitants of Ghunasuti have faced with massive anomalies in their day to day life while crossing the river by lessee-operated boats to communicate with the district headquarters. They have been allegedly betrayed and exploited by the lessees year by year by imposing a high amount of ferry charges by a section of dishonest employees. Moreover, they have faced problems, falling in miserable plights, with regard to shifting their patients for advanced treatment in North Lakhimpur during the night as the ferry service remains closed. During the rainy season, they have to cross the river amidst severe risk of life caused by the overflown water level of Subansiri.

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