Nearly 100 bighas of farmland damaged during Bharatmala roadwork in Assam's Cachar, farmers seek compensation

Nearly 100 bighas of agricultural land have reportedly been damaged in Assam's Cachar district following the collapse of an embankment created during road construction under the Bharatmala project, leaving several farmers facing crop losses and financial difficulties.

The damage was reported in Labakpar Part III and Part IV under Poylapool Gaon Panchayat in the Lakhipur Assembly constituency, where a strong flow of rainwater, soil and rocks swept through agricultural fields, destroying paddy saplings across large stretches of farmland.

According to the affected farmers, the land had been filled with soil excavated from nearby hills as part of the construction work on the Silchar-Jirighat road. They alleged that repeated requests to the construction contractor to install culverts for proper drainage were ignored.

The farmers said the absence of adequate drainage arrangements led to the accumulation of rainwater, eventually causing the earthen embankment to collapse. The resulting flow of water, soil and rocks damaged nearly 100 bighas of agricultural land and affected vegetation in adjoining areas.

Several affected farmers said they had taken loans to cultivate their fields and were now facing financial distress following the destruction of their paddy crops.

They also alleged that despite bringing the matter to the attention of the Lakhipur co-district administration and the Agriculture Department, they had not received any compensation so far.

The farmers have now sought the intervention of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika and Lakhipur MLA and minister Kaushik Rai.

They have urged the concerned authorities to visit the affected areas, conduct a detailed assessment of the damage and ensure timely and adequate compensation for the affected farming families.

The farmers have also called for appropriate measures to address the drainage issue and prevent further damage to agricultural land during the ongoing road construction work.