BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 31st May 2024: In an outcry against the ongoing suffering inflicted by a negligent contractor, residents of Ward Nos. 6 and 3 in Kamalpur subdivision staged a sit-in on the paved bridge connecting Kamalpur to Surma over the river Dhalai.
The protest, held today, highlights the severe disruption caused by the stalled construction work on a critical road passing in front of the Kamalpur SDM office.
The road in question serves as a vital link between Kamalpur and Surma, facilitating daily commutes for students and locals, and providing access to essential services. The Salema-based contractor, responsible for constructing a new culvert near Ekta Sangh Club on this road, has failed to adhere to the prescribed construction protocols. This oversight has rendered the road impassable for nearly a month, severely impacting the community.
Local residents have reported numerous hardships due to the road’s closure. In emergencies, such as when someone falls ill, the blocked road has prevented timely access to medical facilities. Students who use this road to reach their schools and colleges have faced significant disruptions in their daily routines.
Adding to the residents’ woes, the unfinished construction work has led to improper soil management. Soil dumped on the roadside has caused rainwater to inundate nearby homes, leading to substantial damage and creating a desolate environment. Moreover, the road excavation has disrupted the local water supply line, leaving the community without access to water.
Despite multiple attempts to reach out to the contractor, the residents’ pleas have been ignored, prompting today’s roadblock protest. The sit-in on the paved bridge over the Dhalai River marks a desperate bid by the residents to draw attention to their plight and urge the authorities to take immediate action.
The local administration is urged to intervene promptly to ensure that the contractor adheres to the construction guidelines, and to restore normalcy in the area.
