Built Over a Drain: Safety Risks Spark Alarm Over Dholai Construction Project

A construction project in the Dholai constituency of Assam’s Cachar district has come under public scrutiny after locals raised concerns over its design, lack of transparency, and possible safety risks.

Residents along the Kabuganj–Amraghat road allege that a government-funded community hall or passenger waiting shed is being built in a manner that may pose structural and public safety concerns. The construction site is located in front of the historic PM Shri CCJC Palonghat Higher Secondary School.

Locals claim that some of the pillar foundations of the structure have been laid directly on top of a concrete roadside drain. This drain is reportedly used as a walking path by pedestrians, including school students. Questions have now been raised about whether such a foundation is technically sound and safe for long-term use.

Another major concern raised by residents is the absence of any information board at the construction site. There is reportedly no display of key project details such as the name of the scheme, approved cost, implementing agency, contractor details, or timelines for completion. This has led to criticism over a lack of transparency in the execution of the project.

Residents also expressed concern that if the structure is intended to serve as a passenger waiting shed, it will regularly be used by schoolchildren and the public. If it is a community hall, it may host gatherings involving large crowds. In both cases, locals fear that any compromise in construction quality could lead to serious safety risks in the future.

The site lies in an important stretch of the Dholai constituency, and locals say that despite being on a frequently used route by public representatives and officials, the matter has not yet received any clear public clarification from the concerned authorities.

Locals have urged the relevant department to inspect the technical aspects of the construction at the earliest and take corrective action if any irregularities are found. They have also demanded that full project details be made public to ensure transparency and public oversight.

At present, the central question raised by residents is whether the project, built in the name of development, will prove to be safe and durable, or whether it could become a cause of concern in the future.