Dilapidated road greets people to city

* No maintence done in the last seven years  * GMC, PWD, ASTC all turning blind eye

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Oct 8: Guwahati is the gateway of the Northeast. The Guwahati railway station in Paltanbazar and the ASTC complex, adjacent to the railway station is not only situated in the heart of the city, but is also the welcoming point for thousands of visitors who come to the city daily.

But, the very first sight of the road connecting the foot overbridge of the railway station to the main road, which is also an approach to the ASTC bus stand, is set to disappoint the visitors at the first sight itself.

“Water logged, throughout the year, if you walk on this road, you will feel like walking on a garbage dumping,” stated a local shopkeeper, who have been there for many years.

On further query by The Sentinel, the shopkeepers there revealed that no maintence have been done on the road for at least the last seven years. “We don’t exactly remember when they did any maintence, but at least in the last seven years, no maintence or reconstruction work has been witnessed. The road is in the worst possible condition,” alleged another shopkeeper.

It may be mentioned that, the Assam State Transport Corporation, use this road as and exit gate, but the authorities are yet to notice this dilapidated road.

The Guwahati Municipal Corporation, the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority or the Public Works Department of the State has also not paid any heed to this road.

“This area falls in East Guwahati constituency represented by Captain Robin Bordoloi. The particular road in question is the doorway of Guwahati. Just imagine what a negative impression this road will leave at the very first place itself,” said a concerned citizen.

On the other hand, the Paltanbazar police station, which is adjacent to the ASTC complex, has dumped its confiscated vehicles on this particular road, covering a vast portion. “Even the police have encroached the road,” alleged a local shopkeeper even as he added that the road which is hardly 50 meters long doesnt have any draige system.

At a time when the Union government is promoting Swachh Bharat Mission and simultaneously Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi led State government is promoting Nirmal Asom Mission, this particular road, which is filled with waters even without a drop of rain, questions the existence of a will to do something.