SIVASAGAR, July 20 - The deplorable state of the NH-37 across Sivasagar district has caused serious concern among the people here. The 70-km stretch between Janji and Moran has become a death trap with huge craters, potholes and broken side bunds.
The quick repairing job done by the previous government lasted barely three months, till the time of the elections, the locals alleged. It appears that there is no system of quality control in Jorhat division of the National Highway Authority. The commuters, especially bound for AMC, Dibrugarh, have been hard hit by the condition of the highway.
The Protection Committee of People Affected by NH Expansion, Sivasagar, led by president Ghana Gogoi, vice-president Waliff Ahmed and secretary Gakul Chetia, submitted a memorandum to the Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner, Narayan Konwar recently. The committee urged the authority to expedite the construction work to stop further deterioration of the condition.
The committee, inter alia, demanded construction of culverts and drains on either sides of the highway to prevent flash flooding of the adjoining areas, adequate compensation to the affected families and massive tree plantation on the sides as thousands of mature and rare trees have been uprooted causing an irreparable damage to the environment.
The AT Road from Bhatiapar to Darikapar is also in a totally damaged condition, causing serious hardship to the public. The six-seven km road takes about an hour to cross for the small vehicles due to the endless craters along the road passing through Sivasagar town. The Sivasagar MLA, the residents here opine, is totally oblivious of the plight of the people.
