DHUBRI, Aug 25 - Although most of the flooded areas of the district have dried up, but the people living in this part of western Assam are facing enormous difficulties in restoring normalcy to their lives, as the recent flood has damaged almost all the major roads and washed away bridges.
A report by the Public Work Department (PWD) Roads states that 177 roads built by the department in the district were damaged by the second wave of flood that created havoc in the district recently. It was also mentioned that almost 492 kms of road was submerged in floodwater, making breaches in 101 areas and completely damaging 4.35 kms of roads.
Moreover, 10 major bridges built by the department have been damaged, out of which three have been completely washed away. Twenty-seven minor bridges all over the district have also been damaged in the flood.
The report also says that the Dhubri-Kochugaon road, the Folimari road and Dhurahati- IBBP road are in pathetic conditions and the communication for the people living in these areas has been totally disrupted.
If reports are to be believed, apart from these roads and bridges, many other such structures maintained by the municipality, town committees and in the village areas have also been damaged and need immediate restoration.
It was also reported that the recent flood has severely affected the road communication on the National Highway in the district, making breaches at four portions in a major way.
Also in South Salmara- Mankachar district, six roads have been damaged and two bridges in the Kalur river either have been damaged or washed way hindering communication.
While talking to this correspondent, the executive engineer of PWD (Roads), Siddiqur Rahman informed that to mend the roads that were damaged by the flood, a budget of almost Rs 100 crore is required immediately. He also added, �The restoring and repairing works have already started. We are also making temporary footbridges and boats are being provided by the administration in those areas, where communication has been disrupted severely.�
Meanwhile, various organisations, citizens forum and individuals have expressed their concern over the current situation of roads in the district and demanded immediate repair of the roads.
The Kalibari Trustee Board, a religious and socio-cultural organisation has submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner in this regard and has asked the administration to restore all the roads before the ensuing Durga Puja celebrations, to avoid chaos.
