Pothole-Riddled Captain Jintu Gogoi Road Sparks Public Anger in Golaghat

A CORRESPONDENT

BOKAKHAT: A nearly seven-kilometre-long paved road connecting National Highway 37 at Badulipar in Golaghat district with Dhodor Ali in Khumtai is now riddled with deep potholes, some resembling ponds. Named after Kargil martyr Captain Jintu Gogoi, the road is one of the busiest rural roads in the district.

Previously known as Khumtai Ali, the road was first paved by the Public Works Department in 2004. It was subsequently renamed after Khumtai's Kargil war hero, Captain Jintu Gogoi. After remaining in a dilapidated condition for years, the road was reconstructed and widened a few years ago following repeated demands from local residents and various organisations.

The road was rebuilt at a cost of around Rs 7.5 crore and inaugurated for public use on November 9, 2020, by Cabinet Minister Atul Bora in the presence of MLA Mrinal Saikia, Jintu Gogoi's father Thagiram Gogoi and Indian Army officers.

However, within just two years of the reconstruction, pond-like potholes reportedly began appearing on the road, causing severe difficulties for pedestrians and motorists. Several sections have sunk, while large cracks have developed across many parts of the paved surface.

Local residents have, at different times, alleged that overloaded dumpers carrying stones are responsible for the deterioration. A large number of heavily loaded dumpers transporting stones for four-lane road construction were reportedly operating on the route day and night until a few days ago.

Although local residents had repeatedly stopped such vehicles from using the road, their movement reportedly resumed after a few days. Residents fear that continued movement of the heavily loaded vehicles could further damage the road.

If the department fails to repair the road immediately, the condition is likely to severely disrupt transportation during the upcoming monsoon, particularly affecting school and college students and other commuters.

News reports highlighting the poor condition of the road have reportedly appeared in various media outlets for nearly six months, but the department has yet to take effective action, according to local residents.

Amid growing public anger, local residents are reportedly preparing to launch protests, including a road blockade, if the authorities fail to repair the road at the earliest.

Also Read: Bokakhat: AASU stages sit-in protest demanding repair of road named after Jintu Gogoi