NILAMBAZAR, July 10 - Karimganj town, which is said to be the cultural capital of Barak Valley, has been facing perennial waterlogging problem. Vital roads, including Red Cross Road, Ramani Mohan Road, Nilmoni Road, Mission Road and NH-7 (Karimganj-Sutarkandi) are now under water. But the civic body, Karimganj Municipal Board, has failed to take adequate steps causing severe hardships for the people of Daspatty, Charbazar, Shyamaprashad Road, Roy Party of Purba Bazar areas.
The Karimganj Municipality Board was constituted in 1984 under the provision of the Municipal Act, which covers an area about 6 square kilometres and has a council of 27 elected ward commissioners. However, the board seems to be unconcerned about the problem of the people.
It may be recalled that the Karimganj Municipal Board had executed a new master drainage plan to check the perennial waterlogging problem, but to no avail.
Moreover, the Karimganj Municipal Board has two public burial grounds, seven markets, two community halls and three ancient ponds which are also in bad state due to lack of attention from the authorities concerned.
Prabir Bhattacharjee, a senior citizen and a resident of Station Road informed that memorenda have already been submitted in a bid to find a permanent solution to the waterlogging problem, but no action has been taken so far. �Considering the gravity of the situation, the municipal board should have taken urgent steps. At a time when the BJP-led Government harps on development, Karimganj town has been encountering a number of civic problems,� he added.
Habibur Rahman Choudhury, editor, Nababarta Prasanga daily alleged that the people of Karimganj have been suffering from a prolonged waterlogging problem due to lack of scientific drainage system. �The existing drainage system is faulty, and, therefore, it can�t carry excess water during the monsoon season,� he said, adding that it is very unfortunate that the BJP-led municipal board and local MLA have turned a blind towards the burning problems of the people.� Choudhury cliamed.
He urged upon the authorities concerned to look into the matter urgently and take preventive measures to solve the waterlogging problem.
