GOLAKGANJ, July 22 � The National Highway 31 which connects Chagolia and Bahalpur under Dhubri district is almost totally damaged and the trucks which carry essential commodities are facing serious problems to run on this route. The same condition prevails on the NH-31 from Siliguri to Tufanganj of West Bengal.
It is very essential to mention that this highway is the only way to enter Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, etc. The number of trucks on the route have dwindled due to the bad road condition and as a result prices of most commodities have sky rocketed putting them out of the reach of the common people. Moreover, the Government is also losing a high amount of revenue because of lack of transportation.
Sources said that 1 lakh 78 thousand 276 vehicles ran in the year 2011-2012 in the months of April, May, June, whereas in the year 2012-2013 in the months of April May and June 1 lakh 58 thousand 970 vehicles ran. During the months of April, May, June, 2011-2012 financial year an amount of Rs 1 crore 9 lakh 35 thousand 477 was collected as government revenue by Chagolia MVI Check post, but in the months of April, May, June 2012-13 the amount decreased to Rs 89 lakh 38 thousand 874. The difference between these two financial years is Rs 19 lakh 96 thousand 603. The bad condition of the National Highway 31 is totally responsible for the decrease in government revenue.
Kumud Kalita DC, Dhubri said that he has taken the matter very seriously and sent a letter to the Chief Secretary, Assam requesting him to take immediate necessary steps to repair the NH-31 which connects Chagolia and Bahalpur. But the people of Dhubri have raised a serious allegation that while the road is lying in this condition since too long a period of time, the government officers are fulfilling their responsibilities only by writing and receiving letters. The people have been very offended because of the price hike which is affecting them very badly.
