Assam: Frequent accidents on ‘repaired’ road spark massive protest in Sribhumi

A Rs 6-crore road repair project aimed at improving a 14-kilometre stretch from Sribhumi's AOC Point to Sutarkandi port on the India-Bangladesh border has turned into a civic nightmare. Despite the substantial allocation, the road remains in a highly dilapidated condition, making it impossible for e-rickshaws to operate and causing frequent accidents.

Frustrated by inaction, members of the E-Rickshaw Union staged a large-scale protest on Tuesday outside the office of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). The protest intensified after the NHIDCL authorities shut the office gates to avoid confrontation, triggering a tense standoff between demonstrators and officials.

According to reports, allegations have been levelled against the contractor appointed by NHIDCL, accusing them of siphoning off funds and executing substandard repairs. Locals claim the road was poorly patched with inferior materials, leading to the rapid formation of large potholes that now pose a serious risk to commuters.

During a recent visit to Sribhumi, the Chief Minister had assured a full-fledged inquiry into the quality of road work after public complaints were raised. However, no concrete steps have followed that assurance, and the road’s condition has only worsened since then.

The E-Rickshaw Union has now issued an ultimatum to NHIDCL officials, demanding immediate and quality-driven road restoration. If no progress is made, union members warned of intensified agitation in the days ahead.

Residents and transport workers alike are demanding accountability, transparency, and swift redressal of what they describe as both a safety hazard and a gross misuse of public funds.