Shocking scenes at BTR's flooded Motonga river; chief urged to build bridge

TAMULPUR: With the onset of monsoons, the lack of a paved bridge over Motonga river on the Nagajuli-Kawli-Kumarikata link road in the Tamulpur subdivision in Assam's Baksa district has forced people to cross the river risking their lives.

People have to continue their dangerous journey by keeping their lives in the fist of hands while crossing the Matonga river on Nagrijuli-Kawli-Kumarikata link road due to the lack of a paved bridge over the Motanga river flowing from foothills of neighboring country Bhutan.

According to sources, people in more than half a hundred villages in Nagrujuli, Kawli, and Kumarikata areas have been crossing the river perilously and some have even been seen crossing while carrying motorbikes over their shoulders.

After not getting any help from the government, the locals constructed a bamboo bridge to maintain the connectivity.

Their bamboo bridge -- a matter of great pride for them -- was made in the model of Saraighat bridge. However, their woes would continue as miscreants torched it down a few months after its construction.

A few days later, the bamboo bridge was completely washed away by the strong waves of the Matanga river.

Also Read: IIT Guwahati secures 41st rank globally in ‘Research Citations per Faculty’ category

Due to continuous rainfall, the water level has increased drastically today, making the journey across the river all the more perilous.

Common people, students, patients et al have also had to walk through the floodwater.

It is seen that vehicular movement has completely stopped as the water has increased drastically.

In exchange for crossing a bike across the river, one has to pay a hefty sum of Rs 150-Rs.200. Groups of 4 are currently ferrying the two-wheelers across the inundated river.

Many men and women including children have lost their lives prematurely while crossing the river over the years.

In the past, thousands of people in the area have reacted bitterly to the fact that thousands of people in the area have had to pass the river in distress as a permanent bridge over the Matonga river has not been built even today despite many requests to the government.

"Various political parties promise to construct a bridge when elections come, but those promises are forgotten when the elections are over. The non-construction on the Matonga river today has been proof of the fake promises of the political party," a local told us.

"The people of the area are hopeful that the long-standing problem of the area will be resolved by the Pramod Boro-led BTC government which rode to power with promises of development," another chimed in.

Follow us on Facebook