Silchar Panchayat Road residents seek respite from deplorable road condition

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

 SILCHAR, Aug 8: The deplorable condition of Gupta House PWD road, better known as Panchayat Road on the southern part of the town has made life difficult for the residents of the area. Despite several reminders no positive action has been taken in this regard to improve the road conditions. The road passes through a busy business place as well as residential zone housing more than 800 families. It is also used as a bypass which links College Road, Chenkoorie Road, Ashram Road, Vivekanda Road with Rangirkhari, Das Colony and tiol Highway.

  For the last 15 years, this vital connectivity has been left neglected. Lack of proper road maintence, unscientific draige system and insufficient footpaths have resulted in frequent accidents. There are big potholes all over the road. This busy road comes under Ward no 18 and 19. The residents as well as commuters, particularly students, patients and aged persons, have to go through a lot of hardships and are the worst sufferers.

  Aggrieved residents alleged that in the fincial year 2011-12, an amount of Rs.21,48,829 was sanctioned for repair works including draige improvement, but the works were not  properly executed. They also alleged that there was a massive fincial misappropriation of allotted funds for repair works undertaken by PWD (R) in collusion with contractors involved in its execution.

  Speaking on the issue, Ashim Das, commissioner of ward no. 18, said that the road has not been repaired for a very long period by authorities concerned and the common people are suffering a lot due to it. A major portion of the road has been encroached upon by some people due to negligence on part of the higher authorities. Besides, there are a few electric poles and even a transformer on the road. He said that ASEB will be approached to remove the poles and shift the transformer to a safer place.

  It is worth mentioning, the work for metalling and black topping of the road which began in 2006 is yet to be completed. There is a severe problem of water logging in the area due to lack of proper draige. Regarding draige improvement, the PWD officials have said that the alignment of Panchayat Road drain with College Road drain is not possible.

  While, on the other hand, M Rahman, a former municipal employee and a resident of the area, has refuted the argument given by PWD regarding drain alignment and has said it is possible and should be undertaken on a priority basis. Meanwhile, aggrieved residents have cautioned the authorities concerned that if no action is taken in this regard within the next 7 days, they would be left with no other altertive but to impose blockade of Hailakandi-Das Colony main road.

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