GUWAHATI, Sept 27 - The development and beautification of the footpaths being carried out by the Road Division of the Public Works Department (PWD) in various parts of the city as part of the Guwahati beautification drive, has now become a major cause of concern ahead of the Durga Puja.
Even as Durga Puja is fast approaching, most of the work on development of the footpaths in greater Chandmari-Silpukhuri areas remains incomplete due to some official reasons and the contractor concerned has covered the incomplete manholes with wooden blocks and planks.
�The footpath in Chandmari area is now not at all convenient for use, especially during the night. It is well known that use of wooden blocks and planks during such works is a very short-term measure. But in this portion of the footpath, these wooden structures have remained over the manholes for more than two weeks and no one knows when those will be replaced with permanent coverings. I am not against the development activity, but alongside such activity, we should be careful to prevent any kind of accident,� Jogen Baishya, a resident of Chandmari area told The Assam Tribune.
Another resident of the area Anup Das also expressed concern that these wooden structures have become very dangerous for pedestrians, especially at night.
Though the situation remains a cause of serious concern, it is learnt that the PWD (Roads) is yet to finalise the deadline for completing the work. Rather, they are now checking the wooden structures regularly to prevent any mishaps.
Meanwhile, a senior official of the PWD (Roads) informed that the department will install slabs made of fibre reinforced polymers (FRP) on the manholes. The slabs will be procured from Gujarat and the tender process for the same has started, but work is not expected to start for at least a month, sources said.
