JONAI, Sept 29 � The Bordoloni-Samarajan portion of the National Highway-52 near Dhemaji town, which was affected by flash flood last year, has not yet been repaired by the Border Road Organization, causing a great deal concern among the people of this district and a large part of neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.
The residents of Dhemaji, Silapathar and Jonai along with the people of three districts in Arunachal have been suffering a lot in surface communication and transportation of essential commodities and construction materials. The Rongiya- Murkongselek metregauge rail tracks that run upto Murkongselek station near the Assam-Arunachal border here are also frequently disrupted, adding to the woes of the commuters of both States.
The vital rail link, which came up in 1962 for transportation and mobilisation of security forces to the China border in Arunachal Pradesh, has not been spruced up even after more than four decades.
The NH-52 passing parallel to the NF Railway metergauge tracks through Dhemaji district is a lifeline for the people of Dhemaji and Siang belt of Arunachal. Trading materials and fuels are carried to places like Silapthar, Jonai, Likabali, Aalo, Nari, Pasighat, Yingkiong through the route.
About 60 km long stretch of the highway between Gogamukh and Dhemaji is still in a shambles. The same condition of the highway is seen at Moridhal, Sripani and Sissiborgaon and Akajan portion of the highway between Dhamji and Silapathar is causing great inconvenience to the commuters.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) entrusted with the reconstruction work has not been active in restructuring the highway citing paucity of funds. The BRO is allegedly found sluggish in carrying out renovation work, as the major portion of the highway in Dhemaji has not yet been repaired, invitong the ire of the people including the local student organizations.
The Dhemaji E&D department and railway authority are accustomed to reconstructing the routes every year. The lack of coordination in technical assessment between the two departments is the actual cause of the repeated breaching, the student leaders here alleged.
