Discarded idols on NH-37 in Assam's Tinsukia raise safety and religious concerns

Tinsukia district locals in Assam have raised alarms after spotting discarded idols of Hindu deities scattered along National Highway-37, a busy artery linking Upper Assam.

 

The statues, likely dumped post-rituals or immersions, lie unattended amid heavy traffic, stirring worries over hurt religious feelings, roadside hazards, and environmental damage. Shopkeepers and commuters report that the haphazard placement creates hazards for drivers already battling the highway's potholes and congestion.

 

“These are not just idols, they represent our faith. Leaving them like waste is painful to see,” said a local shopkeeper near the site.

 

NH-37 carries vital freight and passengers daily, but such clutter adds to longstanding woes like accidents from poor lighting and encroachments. Environmentalists warn that non-biodegradable materials in these idols leach toxins into soil and water, compounding pollution in the oil-rich region.

 

“Authorities must create proper disposal or immersion facilities instead of letting this happen on highways,” another resident urged.

 

Past incidents of idol neglect have ignited protests across Assam, from Guwahati riversides to rural roadsides, prompting calls for better civic oversight.

 

The district administration has yet to respond, but locals demand swift removal, respectful relocation to designated sites, and awareness drives on eco-friendly practices like using natural clay idols.