BY TC News Desk
Agartala, July 03, 2023: Auto drivers in Amarpur town, fed up with the deteriorating condition of the Amarpur-Shilachari road, took to the streets on Monday to demand immediate repairs. The road has been in a state of disrepair for an extended period, leading to frequent accidents and damage to vehicles. Despite numerous complaints made to the authorities, no action has been taken so far.
In a show of solidarity, auto drivers staged road blockades at five different locations along the Shilachari road. The protest resulted in severe traffic disruptions throughout the affected areas. Partha Das, the SDM of Karbook, along with an engineer from NHICDL responsible for the road, arrived at the blockade site. In response to the demonstrators’ demands, Shankar Deb Gaur, the NHICDL engineer, provided a written assurance that the road renovation work would commence on July 7. With this commitment, the blockade was lifted.
While the officials were present at the scene, some demonstrators vented their frustration by directing verbal abuse towards them. SDM Partha Das urged the protesters not to resort to violence against the officials. He emphasized that he was open to receiving criticism but urged them to address their concerns in a more constructive manner.
The auto drivers claim that certain individuals associated with the CPIM are hindering the repair efforts. They argue that instead of fixing the road, these individuals are intentionally causing inconvenience to the public and tarnishing the government’s reputation.
This recent protest follows a year of mounting frustration among the auto drivers due to the government’s inaction. The workers have called for immediate repairs to prevent further accidents and damage to vehicles. Officials from various departments held a meeting at the Amarpur SDM’s office to address the issue. They assured the workers that the road repairs would commence soon and be completed promptly. However, the auto drivers have warned that if the road is not repaired immediately, they will escalate their protest further.
The deteriorating condition of the Amarpur-Shilachari road has caused significant inconvenience and financial losses to the local community. The demands for prompt action reflect the urgent need for repairs to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents and commuters.
