“Is This Assam’s Development?” Angry Arkatipur Residents Question Shoddy Roadwork

Residents of Arkatipur Tea Estate, connecting the Silchar-Imphal road, have raised serious allegations of corruption in the construction of a newly built road. Just three days after the work was completed, the surface began peeling off, leaving locals furious and demanding government intervention.

The road had been in a dilapidated state for 18 years, causing significant inconvenience to the locals. After years of protests, petitions, and submissions of memoranda, the government finally approved a three-kilometre road repair project last year. However, the recent failure of the construction has sparked widespread anger among residents.

On Tuesday, locals staged a protest questioning the role of the contractor and the concerned authorities. The absence of a project board displaying the sanctioned amount has raised suspicions. Protesters alleged that the black-topping was done in a rush during the night without proper oversight, leading to substandard work.

“We have been suffering for 18 years because of this road. After all our struggles, we were assured that the construction would be done well. But within just three days, the road is coming off,” a resident told the media while holding a piece of the worn-out road. “Is this Assam’s development? We want the Chief Minister to intervene, or we will block the road,” he warned.

Another local pointed out the suspicious timing of the construction work. “They work at night when no one is around to keep an eye on them. The road is literally peeling off,” he said, demanding that the road be rebuilt properly with quality materials.

The poor quality of construction has also raised concerns about transparency. Locals noted that the lack of an official signboard has left them unaware of the approved budget and project details. Residents are now calling for a high-level investigation into the matter to hold the responsible parties accountable.