“No More Empty Promises”: Assam University Students Stage Massive Road Blockade Over Crumbling Road

Hundreds of students of Assam University staged a road blockade on Wednesday (August 5), demanding immediate repair of the badly damaged approach road leading to the university. The protest was called after repeated appeals to the authorities allegedly failed to bring any lasting action.

Carrying placards and raising slogans outside the university, the students blocked the road for several hours, disrupting traffic in the area. They said the poor condition of the road has been causing serious inconvenience and safety concerns for students, staff and vehicles travelling to and from the campus every day.

According to the students, they had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Cachar district administration seeking urgent repair of the road. However, despite repeated requests, no significant work was carried out, prompting them to launch the protest.

Speaking to the media, Assam University Students’ Union Assistant General Secretary Arpan Chakraborty alleged that the authorities had failed to act despite being informed several months ago.

“It is obviously the ministers’ responsibility to fix the road, but as responsible citizens we submitted a memorandum to the District Commissioner a few months back. No work was done. We then gave an ultimatum two months ago. After the District Commissioner’s order, the PWD worked for only two days and then stopped. If we do not get proper assurance, we will not move,” he said.

Students’ Union General Secretary Kaushik Dasgupta also reiterated the demand for immediate repairs. He said the district administration had assured the students that work on the road would begin by August 9.

“The administration has assured us that work will begin by August 9. I hope the road will be repaired soon so that at least our buses can reach the campus safely,” Dasgupta said.

After several hours of protest, officials from the district administration reached the spot and held discussions with the students.

One administrative official acknowledged that the students’ demands were genuine and appreciated their cooperation during the discussions. The official said road repair work would commence from August 9 and is expected to be completed within 10 days.

Following the assurance, the students withdrew the road blockade. However, they warned that if the repair work does not begin within the promised timeframe, they will launch a larger protest in the coming days.