BARPETA, April 25 - Though the people of the eastern part of Barpeta district saw a ray of hope at the commencement of the repairing of the Chamata-Nagaon Road via Sarthebari, the slow pace of works has irked them. The project under package no ASRP/REH/NCB/35B under Barpeta state road division was sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 41.41 lakh. The distance to be covered under the Rehabilitation of SH 9 from Chamata to Nagaon Bazar via Sarthebari is 19.40 km.
The work order by the PWD was issued to Anupam Nirman Private Limited on March 2, 2017 last with a deadline of o�e year from the issue of work order. The works began a bit late in June- July last year. It was hoped that with the advent of winter it will be expedited and the overall surface, which was very rough for years together, will become suitable for communication.
Apart from the road, the estimate included 2250 metres of drain on both sides making a total of 4500 metres in certain areas. These include 350�2 metres at Nagaon, 400�2 metres both at Belbari and Baniyakuchi and 1100�2 metres at Sarthebari. Though the works of drains at Belbari and Baniyakuchi have been completed by now, the drainage at Nagaon has been abandoned after being half done and it is hardly 25% complete at Sarthebari. No formal communication has yet been issued regarding the abandonment of the drainage at Nagaon by the authorities.
The main works on the road have not been completed even 50 per cent after the expiry of the work order issue to the contractor. If the pace of works remain like this, it will take another two years to complete.
This road is the lifeline of the people of the eastern part of the district as it connects Nalbari and Barpeta by the shortest routes. But the deplorable condition of the road has compelled the people to seek alternatives. The local people including several organizations had resorted to agitational programmes demanding repairing of this important road.
Responding to the need of the people, the department sanctioned an amount of Rs 41.41 crore during 2016-17 and the formalities were completed. But for reasons best known to the supervising engineers and the management of the contractor farm, the work has not progressed to the desired level. With rains starting, artificial floods in some parts of the road have made the lives of people miserable. Earlier it was dust during winter. The people of this area have demanded expedition of the work and maintenance of proper quality.
