Heavy vehicles use rural roads to avoid toll, two roads damaged in Assam's Kaliabor

Two rural roads in Kaliabor have suffered extensive damage after heavy and commercial vehicles began using them to avoid paying toll at the toll plaza on the four-lane road connecting Kolia Bhomora Setu, according to local residents.
 

The toll plaza is located at Chulung. Residents said several vehicles travelling from Upper Assam towards North Assam after crossing Kolia Bhomora Setu are taking the Hatibandha–Dolapani route and joining the national highway through Chulung Chariali without crossing the toll plaza.
 

Similarly, vehicles travelling from Tezpur towards Nagaon and Upper Assam are reportedly entering through Chulung Chariali and taking the Dolapani–Hatibandha route before joining the four-lane highway at Hatibandha.
 

The diversion of traffic to the rural roads has resulted in severe deterioration, with large potholes developing along several stretches and making the roads difficult to use.
 

Residents said commercial and heavy vehicles are also using the Hatibandha–Napuwatharia–Chulung Chariali road to avoid the toll plaza. The increased movement of such vehicles has further damaged the road.
 

With the situation worsening, local residents have erected bamboo barricades at both ends of the Hatibandha–Napuwatharia–Chulung Chariali road and restricted the movement of vehicles other than those belonging to local residents.
 

Residents have urged the authorities to intervene and repair the damaged roads and take steps to prevent heavy vehicles from using the rural routes to bypass the toll plaza.