SILAPATHAR, Aug 30 - Thousands of activists joined hands with villagers on Friday to repair the Kulajan-Sonarighat road which was in a bad state for last several years.
The activists associated with Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), Takam Mising Mime Kebang (TMMK) and Mising Mimag Kebang (MMK) and the locals were annoyed with the authorities for not carrying out any repairing work on the road which has been affecting the normal life of the people.
Once upon a time, it was said to be a major road for communication from Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, East Siang and West Siang districts along with upper part of Arunachal Pradesh to Dibrugarh. The road was the oldest road for ferry service communication from Sonarighat to Dibrugarh Pujaghat after the Independence. But, after starting of Bogibeel project, ferry service was transferred to Bogibeel bridge site from Sonarighat.
The road has been damaged and washed away by flood waters several times, which led to the dilapidated condition of the road. Non-availability of ferry service has slowly affected the development of the area.
The villagers of Rekhachapari, Deorighat, Sonarighat, Medhipomua, Dighalipam, Kosek, Borguli, Tongani Majgaon etc., have been demanding better road communication but all in vain. Last year, the flood water breached the Sonari-Dismur embankment at Rekhachapari. The flood washed away houses, livestock, properties and farm land along with roads and bridges. This year, the flood damaged the Kulajan-Sonarighat road in several portions.
The villagers have been using a bamboo bridge. The bridge of Kandulijan has become a death trap for rural villagers and schoolchildren. However, several years ago, the Kulajan-Sonarighat road was sanctioned for renovation work, but contractor allegedly misused the allotted fund.
The TMPK, TMMK and MMK and locals submitted memorandums to Dhemaji deputy commissioner and concerned authorities over the issue. But, no action was taken to tackle the problem, the villagers said.
