West Karbi Anglong’s lifeline road crumbles: Kheroni–Donkamokam stretch turns deadly

The Kheroni Charali–Donkamokam road, a vital lifeline for the people of West Karbi Anglong, has reached a breaking point with its worsening condition posing daily risks to commuters and severely disrupting essential services across the region.

Barely three kilometres from the office of the Assistant Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD), Kheroni Sub-Division, the road serves as the only major route connecting Donkamokam—the hometown of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang, who also holds charge of the PWD—to the rest of the district. Despite its critical importance, the road has been left neglected, its surface marred by deep potholes, erosion, and lack of proper maintenance.

The dangers of the stretch have been starkly highlighted in recent days. An oil tanker overturned at Kheroni Charali, followed by another mishap involving a bamboo-laden Tata Mobile truck at the same spot last Saturday. These back-to-back accidents have amplified fears among residents who already navigate the broken stretch with trepidation, especially during monsoon rains.

This road is not just a commuter’s route but the sole access corridor to vital services, including schools, colleges, banks, a police station, government offices, a government hospital, Public Health Engineering (PHE) offices, and local markets. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, are forced to ply through the dangerous road, increasing risks during urgent medical situations.

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Ironically, two local elected representatives—Pawan Kumar, MAC of Kapili, and Smt. Rina Terangpi, Executive Member and MAC of Amreng—reside just 2–3 kilometers from Kheroni Charali, yet the condition of the road remains unattended. Local residents complain that despite repeated media reports, widespread outcry on social media, and mounting frustration from daily commuters, the KAAC and the PWD have failed to initiate meaningful repair work.

“The road has become unfit for vehicles. Every day, people risk accidents. Farmers can’t transport their produce smoothly, students face delays, and patients suffer while being rushed to hospitals,” said a local resident, pointing to the urgency of the situation.

As anger grows, community members are demanding that authorities immediately take up the repair and maintenance of the Kheroni–Donkamokam road. They warn that continued negligence will not only worsen public hardship but also deepen resentment against the KAAC and elected leaders.

For West Karbi Anglong, this crumbling road has become a symbol of neglect. Unless urgent measures are taken, the lifeline of the district risks turning into a death trap.