Assam: Villagers in Jogighopa threaten poll boycott over bridge delay

On the eve of the final phase of elections in the state of Assam, residents of Jogighopa in Bongaigaon district took to the streets in protest, raising slogans of 'No Bridge No Vote'. 

At Audubi in Jogighopa, demonstrators gathered along the riverbanks, urging authorities to expedite the construction of a bridge connecting Chapar-Audubi over the Champavati river.

The protest called for immediate action on building a bridge, with participation from locals of Audubi Khailuwapara and neighboring areas. Amidst the demonstration, impassioned slogans such as 'No Bridge No Rest' and 'Our Demand Just Demand' echoed through the crowd, underscoring the urgency of their plea. Frustration has mounted due to the prolonged absence of a solid bridge, forcing residents to endure arduous river crossings. 

Despite repeated appeals to the administration, no concrete steps have been taken, prompting threats of electoral boycott ahead of the elections.

According to reports, funds were earmarked in 2015 for a 490-meter-long bridge linking Baladoba and Gaspara in Audubi. However, residents express disillusionment as the promised bridge remains a distant reality. Today's protest serves as a public indictment of the government's inaction. It's worth noting that successive administrations have failed to address the pressing need for a bridge, leaving locals and schoolchildren to navigate perilous bamboo structures during the rainy season and rely on makeshift boats during monsoons for years.

The community demands immediate action for the bridge's construction and calls for a thorough investigation into the allocation and utilization of funds designated for this purpose.

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