CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announces app to report potholes for swift repairs

In a move to tackle Assam’s persistent road infrastructure issues, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced the development of a mobile app that will allow citizens to report potholes and damaged roads directly to the Public Works Department (PWD) for swift repairs.

The announcement came during a Facebook Live session on Sunday, where CM Sarma outlined plans for the app, which will enable users to upload images of damaged roads with geo-tagged locations. This system will allow the PWD to accurately identify problem areas and ensure repairs are carried out within two days of receiving a complaint. The app is slated for launch by April, initially covering five cities: Guwahati, Tezpur, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, and Silchar.

For Silchar residents, this initiative offers a glimmer of hope after years of neglect. Last year, the town witnessed widespread protests, strikes, and road blockades demanding urgent road repairs. Despite mounting public pressure, local MLA and MP remained notably silent on the issue. It wasn’t until just before Durga Puja in 2024 that CM Sarma addressed the deteriorating road conditions during a visit to Silchar, announcing two key redevelopment projects: the Ramnagar to Rongpur stretch and the Capital Point to Silchar Medical College road. In August 2024, ₹13 crore was sanctioned for the repair of 13 major roads in the area.

Though repair work began before Durga Puja, progress has been sluggish, with construction still ongoing in several areas—a familiar pattern in Silchar’s road projects. Yet, CM Sarma’s proactive approach contrasts sharply with the silence of the region’s elected representatives, earning him some credit among frustrated locals.

The proposed app marks a step forward in making road maintenance more responsive and transparent. By empowering citizens to report issues directly, the government aims to bridge the gap between public grievances and official action—something Silchar desperately needs. But just like the elected representatives, will this app listen to these problems or will crash with severe errors all the time?