Poor roads, unsafe housing, no doctor: Tinsukia’s Nalini Tea Estate workers seek basic facilities

Workers and residents of Nalini Tea Estate in Assam’s Tinsukia district continue to face severe hardships, with poor road connectivity, deteriorating workers’ housing and inadequate healthcare facilities reported in the tea garden.

The condition of workers’ residential quarters has emerged as a major concern. Several houses reportedly have damaged walls and roofs without proper tin sheets, leaving residents vulnerable to rainwater entering their homes during the monsoon. Roads in and around the tea estate are also reported to be in poor condition, affecting transportation and daily movement.

Healthcare facilities at the tea estate have also come under scrutiny. The estate hospital has reportedly remained without a doctor for several years, leaving residents seeking medical attention with limited access to treatment. Patients visiting the facility are often forced to return without receiving adequate medical care, according to local residents.

Other government-supported facilities have also reportedly fallen into neglect. Shelter homes constructed for women workers and recreational facilities for children at a cost of several crores of rupees have remained largely unusable due to inadequate maintenance and overgrown vegetation.

Against this backdrop, Makum MLA Sanjay Kishan visited Nalini Tea Estate on Thursday to assess the conditions and interact with workers and residents. He toured different parts of the estate and took stock of the problems being faced by the workers.

Following the inspection, Kishan expressed dissatisfaction over the condition of the facilities and directed the concerned departments and administration to initiate prompt measures.

The MLA directed authorities to ensure the appointment of a doctor at the tea estate hospital at the earliest. He also called for repairs to roads, restoration of damaged infrastructure and the revival of government facilities that have remained non-functional.

The visit has brought renewed attention to the living and working conditions of tea garden workers in Nalini Tea Estate. The implementation of the directions issued during the inspection will determine how quickly the reported deficiencies are addressed.