A bridge construction project in Morigaon, pending completion for almost 13 years, has now become a symbol of inefficiency and mismanagement, with authorities yet to provide a definitive timeline for its finish.
Notably, the contractor has changed three times during the construction of the bridge. Despite assurances, residents expressed frustration over the lack of visibility of the officials responsible for overseeing the construction. They also mentioned that they have not seen the faces of the contractors or officers and engineers of the public works department.
The bridge was inaugurated by former Nagaon Lok Sabha MP Rajen Gohain, then Congress-led Assam Roads Minister Ajanta Neog and Morigaon MLA Jonjonali Baruah.
One of the local residents highlighted- “every year during monsoon due to the heavy flood a lot of cattle- cows, and goats, including residents of the village and nearby area drown and die. Who will take the responsibility for such mishappenings?"
“We request our government to please look into the matter and help in completing the bridge as soon as possible," quotes a local resident of Morigaon.
However, as questions continue to mount over the protracted delays in the bridge's completion, concerns arise: who is to blame for the incomplete construction of the bridge for 13 years, the contractor or some corrupt officers and engineers of the public works department? Is it a case of technical errors, or is there a deeper issue of negligence plaguing the construction department's involvement in the project?