PATACHARKUCHI, May 1 - The dilapidated condition of roads in various parts of Barpeta district has totally crippled the normal life of the people. The people here are ashamed that in this age and time, they have to lead such miserable lives due to shabby roads and travelling has become a hell from where they desperately seek respite.
The Tihu-Dumni Road is one of the prime examples. The road, considered a vital one for a large number of commuters of several villages under Pub Bajali mouza of Bajali subdivision is the only link to NH-31. The villagers, ignoring the huge risk of accident, are left with no other option but to travel. Actually, the total length of the said road is 18 km and out of this, the portion from Dumni towards Nathkuchi was improved a few years back but the portion of eight km from Bamunpara to Nathkuchi NH 31 is yet to be repaired. The road is full of potholes which get waterlogged after every shower and its condition becomes worse. The broken road and waterlogging along it makes any journey undertaken by any mode of communication very painful. It takes a lot of time to complete this journey of eight km. During emergencies, the condition of the people just cannot be imagined. Demands to repair the road and protests in this regard at regular intervals has failed to draw the attention of the authority.
The Patacharkuchi-Rampur via Bhaluki Road is one more example of the poor condition of a road through which the people of a number of revenue villages communicate from dawn to dusk. There can be no words to describe the condition of the gravel road and only those unfortunate enough who cannot avoid travelling through the road, can feel the pain. It is hard to understand the reason as to why the competent authority does not pay any heed to the troubles of the rural people. This important road has been totally neglected, leading to strong resentment among the people of the localities. From the zero point at NH 31, the road becomes totally waterlogged and muddy after every shower. The people have had to struggle a lot for developing the portion, mainly from Patacharkuchi to Bhaluki. If the authority fails to take steps urgently in this regard, people of the larger area will not be able to use the road this summer. The condition of the road has deteriorated beyond imagination at just the beginning of the summer season.
The Madan Routa PWD road is another example of the utter negligence shown by the concerned authority. The road was named after the martyrs of the struggle for Independence, but with the passage of time, its condition has deteriorated. An eight-km stretch of the road from Patacharkuchi to Uluwa is horrible. A number of accidents have also occurred on this stretch. The road from NH 31 via Kanimara to Bhaluki and Rampur is also damaged.
The people of the area have expressed strong resentment over the issue and demanded early repairs/ improvement of the said roads.
