Protests Erupt Over Eviction Orders Linked to Dhubri-Phulbari Bridge Project

Dhubri: Tensions escalated in Ward No. 11 of Dhubri town on Wednesday as hundreds of residents protested against a looming eviction tied to the Dhubri-Phulbari bridge project. The unrest began after district officials issued verbal eviction notices, asking locals to vacate land earmarked for a proposed road linking the bridge to Dhubri Port.

The demonstrators, primarily from the Hindu community in Bahadurtari—an area traditionally seen as a BJP stronghold—gathered near the Maa-Kali temple, shouting slogans such as “BJP hai hai” in defiance of the drive. Many residents, some living there for decades, voiced anger over the lack of formal notice and fear the demolition of their homes.

The link road is a critical component of the upcoming Dhubri-Phulbari bridge, a key infrastructure project intended to enhance connectivity across the Brahmaputra River and reduce travel time.

Responding to the protest, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the eviction, stressing the need to reclaim encroached land and safeguard the rights of indigenous communities. “This may seem painful now, but future generations will benefit,” he said.

The incident highlights the ongoing friction between infrastructure development and local displacement in Assam.