Dima Hasao: Villagers of 7 villages up in arms after Contractor halts road construction over 'threats'

HAFLONG: Villagers from seven villages of greater Thaijuwari area (Hamri constituency) under Diyungmukh Police Station of Dima Hasao district of Assam have started an agitation against the cancellation of an approach road from D D road (Haflong-Lanka road) to their villages.

Yesterday, the agitating villagers invited CEM, EMs, and all MACs of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) to join the agitation program and enquire about the matter.

MAC Daniel Langthasa joined their agitation program and held discussions with the departmental authorities at the spot.

The Dima Hasao villagers mentioned that a central scheme ( PMGSY) was sanctioned for village approach road along with two RCC bridges from DD road Thaijuwari area which connects more than 7 villages. However, the construction has now been halted, causing a massive hue-and-cry.

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The work was sanctioned on 2018-19 at a cost of around Rs. 12 crores. It started on 4 February 2019 and was supposed to be completed by February 4, 2020, but till now, only 40% of work has been completed. Now, it has come to light that the rest of the work will not be continued as the Contractors have given up.

"The contractor is from Silchar and there is one from Haflong. The local contractor had some issues with some people in the Council. There are some issues as the contractor is from the DHD -- and the faction is having problems with the DHD (J). Some threats were also reportedly made over the buying of construction materials," Langthasa informed us.

"I talked with the Commissioner and he told us that the work will not continue with the current Contractor. They are probably going to re-issue a tender," he stated, adding, "It is very sad that after long term (so many years) the villagers got an approach road but due to some issues now it's going to be cancelled. I have requested the police and district administration, CEM, and the local MAC of Hamri constituency to look after the matter and to find out the culprits who are threatening and creating a disturbance to the contractor."

He also said that the villagers are facing so many problems due to the unavailability of that approach road and bridges and also the development work of the villages also stopped.

The villagers said that it's very difficult to reach their villages because they have to cross Diyung river on their way to villages. During medical emergencies, they have to carry patients by bamboo loft, they complained.

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