Silchar Residents and Business Associations Block Hospital Road Over Poor Road Conditions

Even in the scorching heat of July summers, residents and business associations in Silchar have taken to the streets, blocking roads to demand the urgent repair of the city’s severely dilapidated streets. Today’s protest has effectively brought the city’s normal traffic flow to a complete halt. The protesters blamed the Public Works Department which can repair the road within 6 hours during a VIP Visit but not even sprinkle water to settle the dust which affects the general tax-paying public.

For several months, every road and by-road in Silchar has been in a state of disrepair. The dangerous condition of these roads has forced vehicles to navigate hazardous paths daily, risking lives and resulting in frequent accidents that have left many injured. Additionally, the extreme dust from the damaged roads has been causing severe inconvenience to local businesses and pedestrians alike. At night the unsettled dust reminds of winter’s heavy fog impairing visibility.

The situation reached a breaking point today as locals were compelled to block the city’s busiest Hospital Road today in the afternoon. The stretch from Capital Point to Medical is particularly poor, prompting hundreds of business owners and local residents to stage an extended protest, demanding immediate road repairs. The blockade was eventually cleared following the intervention of the police.

A protester expressed the community’s frustration, saying, “We are ashamed to say that we are from Silchar. What kind of town is this where business owners pay taxes at every step, and people pay taxes from their hard-earned salaries, but we have nothing to show for it in terms of road maintenance? The dilapidated roads from Capital Point to SMC cause accidents daily. Will the government compensate us for our losses every day?”

Another protester highlighted the health impacts, stating, “After several shopowners in our area were hospitalized due to the dust from this road, we were left with no choice but to block the road. We understand the road can’t be fixed in just a few days, but for now, at least one water truck could spray water to reduce the dust affecting us. They have no respect for our lives, but if there is a VIP visit tomorrow, the road will be fixed within six hours.”

The protestors warned if a realistic solution and a roadmap are not drawn today, then a series of road blocks will follow.