By TC News Desk
Agartala: August 08. In an act of protest, hundreds of villagers from Dharmanagar, Kadamtala, and Jaipur areas blocked the main road on Tuesday morning at 10 am. The demonstration was sparked by the deplorable condition of the road in Ward No. 3 of the Gram Panchayat, which has remained neglected for the past 20 to 25 years.
The villagers have repeatedly demanded the renovation of the road, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears, leaving them frustrated and exasperated. However, it was the plight of e-rickshaw drivers from Ward No. 3 that brought the situation to a boiling point. With the road in such disrepair, they have been unable to conduct their livelihoods for four to five days, leaving them without any means to leave their locality.
The consequences of the poorly maintained road go beyond just affecting daily livelihoods. In cases of emergencies, such as unconscious patients needing immediate medical attention, the lack of access for ambulances poses a significant threat to the lives of the villagers. Additionally, students have been forced to stay home on rainy days due to the road’s hazardous conditions, causing them to miss out on their education.
On Tuesday, the villagers decided they could not tolerate the situation any longer. Blocking the Dharmanagar Kadamtala main road in Jaipur area, they set tires on fire, bringing traffic to a standstill on both sides, with hundreds of vehicles stuck.
Despite the arrival of the police from Kadamtala police station, the assurances given to the villagers failed to pacify them. The villagers remained resolute in their demands. Finally, in response to the escalating situation, the authorities began temporary renovation work by laying half bricks on the damaged road.
Rabindra Chandra Das, the panchayat upa pradhan, attempted to intervene, but the villagers’ anger forced him to retreat. Even the chief, faced with the wrath of the protesters, had no choice but to leave the area without resolution.
