NH-38 Margherita-Jagun road turns into death trap

Our Correspondent

DIGBOI, June 14: In spite of the assurance by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal for putting in extra effort for the all-round development of BJP MLA Bhaskar Sharma’s Margherita constituency in Tinsukia district during his earlier visit to Margherita, the condition of the NH-38 Margherita-Jagun Road is deplorable in many points.

The stretches covering around 200 metres between Margherita Army camp and Segunbari near SDO Tinali and Itakhola Bridge to Tirap Colliery gate No 6 covering a distance of around 1.5 km is not at all motorable and poses threat to the lives of the commuters as the large potholes filled with knee-deep water at some points without any systematic drains on either sides of the road on NH-38 often confuse drivers.

The stretch close to Tirap Colliery near gate no. 6 has been identified as a death-trap which urgently needs to be repaired as the extensive water-filled ditches and potholes remain filled with water emerging out of nearby fields.

“I have officially urged the NHIDCL Jorhat unit for immediate action to this effect but the department is yet to practically initiate any action,” said Sumit Sattawan, the SDO of Margherita, adding, “The people in general, including myself, find it hard to cross the few dilapidated stretches, particularly when it is raining. I will still pursue the matter with the NHIDCL authority in Jorhat on Friday,” Sattawan assured.

According to sources, though a tender to this effect was floated earlier on May 15, 2018 but due to alleged political interference the tender proceeding was obstructed and finally was cancelled mysteriously. Despite repeated prayers, petitions, demonstrations and agitations by various students’ organizations, the fate of the road still remains the same.

“Though graveling was carried out recently at SDO Tinali with the initiative of the local MLA, yet it has been approved temporarily as the accumulation of rain water worsens the situation,” said one of the affected shopkeepers at SDO Tinali near the SDO office, Margherita.

Meanwhile, Bhaskar Sharma, the BJP MLA of Margheita, who was expected by his electorates to deliver his best for the people and his constituency, is yet to address the grievances of his people effectively on various fronts.