Sribhumi: A much-touted Rs 6-crore road repair project, intended to transform the 14-kilometre stretch from AOC Point to the Sutarkandi port on the India-Bangladesh border, has instead become a daily ordeal for commuters, embodying a grim testament to civic neglect and alleged corruption. Despite the hefty allocation, the vital artery remains a patchwork of potholes and broken tarmac, rendering it impassable for e-rickshaws and a notorious hotspot for accidents.
The simmering frustration among locals boiled over on Tuesday as the E-Rickshaw Union staged a massive protest outside the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) office. The situation escalated when NHIDCL authorities, seemingly anticipating the demonstration, bolted their office gates, triggering a tense standoff between the agitated union members and officials, with no immediate resolution in sight.
Allegations are rife against the NHIDCL-appointed contractor, with locals vehemently claiming that funds have been siphoned off and repairs executed with a shocking lack of quality. The consensus on the ground is that the road was shoddily patched with substandard materials, leading to the rapid disintegration of the repairs and the emergence of dangerous, cavernous potholes that now threaten life and limb.
Adding to the public’s disillusionment is the unfulfilled promise from the Chief Minister. During a recent visit to Sribhumi, and following a barrage of public complaints, the Chief Minister had assured a thorough inquiry into the shoddy road work. However, that assurance has yet to translate into any tangible action, and ironically, the road’s condition has only deteriorated further in the interim.
The E-Rickshaw Union, now at the end of its tether, has issued a stern ultimatum to NHIDCL officials: immediate and quality-driven restoration of the road. Should their demands not be met, the union has warned of an intensified agitation, signaling a prolonged battle for basic infrastructure. Residents and transport workers across Sribhumi are united in their demand for accountability, transparency, and swift redressal, decrying the current state of affairs as not merely a safety hazard, but a blatant misuse of public funds.
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