Three years on, Batuatuli road project in Assam remains in limbo

Nearly three years after its inauguration, the road project connecting Batuatuli village under the Gauripur Assembly constituency continues to remain in a dilapidated condition, drawing sharp criticism from local residents and raising questions over administrative apathy and stalled development.

The road, which was expected to provide crucial connectivity to Batuatuli and adjoining areas, is currently riddled with deep potholes, making daily travel hazardous for commuters, schoolchildren and emergency services. What was promised as a pucca road has instead deteriorated into a stretch of craters, particularly worsened by repeated monsoon seasons.

The project was formally launched on August 7, 2023, when local MLA Nizanur Rahman inaugurated the construction under the Mukhyamantri Pucca Road Scheme. The sanctioned work aimed to link the Dhepdepi Garkaptani Road to Kuri Bank via the Centimari region, improving access for villagers and boosting local economic activity.

According to residents, construction began soon after the inauguration but was abruptly halted within a short period. Since then, no significant progress has been made, leaving behind a partially built road structure that has further eroded over time.
Local traders and farmers said the poor road condition has increased transportation costs and disrupted the movement of goods to nearby markets. “During the monsoon, even bicycles cannot pass through. We were promised a paved road within a year, but nothing has changed,” a resident said.

With the 2026 Assembly elections approaching, the stalled Batuatuli road project has emerged as a major political issue in the Gauripur constituency. Villagers are questioning the delay in the utilisation of funds under the Mukhyamantri Pucca Road Scheme and demanding accountability from the authorities.

Residents have also called on MLA Nizanur Rahman and the concerned contractors to provide a clear explanation for the prolonged delay and announce a concrete timeline for the completion of the long-pending project, especially with another monsoon season fast approaching.