Culvert in Ambicapatty Chowringhee still in drains; Work delayed, who is responsible for the mess?

Also known as MLA’s (Para) colony, Ambicapatty Chowringhee which is a gateway to one of the busiest residential areas of the Silchar has its access blocked for more than a month.

Chowringhee, as the name suggests is the junction where the road crosses from four different ways. The busiest access point – Hospital Road – Adharchand road has been blocked because PWD men are at work. They are constructing a culvert, a much-needed one. But it never takes so long to construct a culvert, especially when it is by the main road, the work is done at war-footing.

So, where is the problem? Ambicapatty is a Municipality Area and the drawing was duly approved. The PWD took it over and started constructing the culvert. But midway, the locals through an NGO started protesting and the work was brought to a halt.

The Silchar MLA, who is a resident of the same colony, said, “The local residents had a problem and they complained. They wanted more depth and some other changes and if those were not done, they said they will protest and that is why the work has come to a halt,” informed Silchar MLA Dilip Paul while speaking with Barak Bulletin.

Former ward commissioner, Tamal Kanti Banik threw the ball in the court of the current Municipality board which is run by the executive officer, Sumit Sattavan. Banik said the blockade has created mayhem for the residents and business owners of the locality. “It is surprising that a road in the MLA’s own colony is blocked for so long,” he said. Adding that the contractors and the officers at PWD and Municipality must come clear on why is it taking so long for the work to get completed.

MLA Dilip Paul responded saying that he is not going to “play the blame game”. He asserted, “The work must have got completed by now. It is an essential road, and the blockade is causing a lot of problems. I had many conversations and the last update that I have is that the issue with the locals has been ironed out. The work will hopefully get completed soon.”

The executive officer of Silchar Municipality Board and ADC Health, Cachar Sumit Sattavan visited the spot for inspection earlier this week. He said that to accommodate the demands of the locals, the PWD engineer will need a new drawing. “It requires a change in design,” informed Sattavan.

The PWD engineer has reached out to the experts in NIT Silchar for a new drawing accomodating the demands of the locals. “When there is a design change, the offsite work also stops. So, only once the design is cleared, the work can begin,” informed Sattavan.

MLA Dilip Paul, Executive Officer Sumit Sattavan are “optimistic” that it does not rain, the work is likely to get completed in the next 45 days.

While 45 days means a month and a half more in pain for the locals. And there are many more ifs and buts. Overall, it is clear that lapses in multiple levels resulted in distress.