NH 151 woes: Congress leader in Karimganj demands action against corrupt contractors

The ongoing issues with the repair and maintenance of National Highway 151, from the AOC point, Karimganj in Assam of the city to the Sutarkandi Port, continue to raise serious concerns among locals.

District Congress president Rajat Chakraborty has voiced his frustration, urging the Chief Minister to take action by blacklisting the contractors responsible for the substandard work. 

Chakraborty has pointed out that corrupt contractors, certain departmental authorities, and some elected public representatives have allegedly formed a syndicate, which has resulted in the region being neglected and consistently deprived of quality infrastructure.

According to the Congress leader, the highway, which was cleared by Tussnial and Company of Badarpur under the Public Works Department (PWD) during 2021-22, received a significant allocation of around Rs 14 crore for construction. 

Despite this investment, local residents have repeatedly complained about the poor quality of work from the outset, with these concerns consistently highlighted by the media outlets.

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However, at that time, Abdul Haq Khan, an engineer with the PWD, dismissed the complaints, insisting that the work was progressing satisfactorily, said the Congress leader.

Currently, repairs are being undertaken once again due to the deterioration of the road, which has worsened after heavy rains, leading to large potholes and exposed rocks. 

With Durga Puja approaching, the state of the road has become a pressing concern. 

Chakraborty also noted that approximately Rs 20 crore has been allocated for the current repair efforts, yet the repair work is visibly subpar. 

The contractors have reportedly only applied a superficial layer of loom over the potholes, resulting in the road surface deteriorating again after recent rains. 

This alledged inefficient use of government funds has led to mounting frustrations, with the district administration and PWD being criticized for their lack of oversight and action in addressing these issues.