Amid rains, Chowrangi point at Ambicaptty in a precarious condition

May 18: If picture at all speaks, then it’s akin to a hell-like situation in the heart of Silchar town. The Chowrangi point at Ambicapatty, Silchar located within Municipal Ward No. 22 on Tuesday morning revealed a precarious condition. The work of construction of cross culvert at Chowrangi started long ago in the month of December  2020. However, the construction of the culvert is going on in such a snail’s pace that even after 5 months, the work has not yet been completed.

On Tuesday, after incessant showers, the condition of the road has become much more deplorable. The road now has become almost motorable. Chowrangi being the junction point of Ambicaptty, people of a considerable large area are facing immense hardships. The road at present is avoided by most of the people which has resulted in traffic congestion in other parts of the town.

But why has the construction work of a cross culvert in such an important point of Silchar is delayed? Speaking to way2barak, former Ward Commissioner of Ward No 22 said, “Things are indeed lying in a sorry state of affairs. Ideally, such type of construction requires at the most 3 months time for completion, but at Chowrangi point, the work is going on since last 5 months. The contract for the work was allotted to one Bappa Paul of Silchar by the PWD (Roads).”

Commenting on the technical aspects of the work, Tamal Banik said, “Not only me, but the residents of the area feel that the design/drawing of the cross culvert too has some serious flaws. The height of the culvert over the drain has been raised to such an extent which has resulted in narrowing of the main road. This being one of the busy roads of the town will pave the way to traffic jam in the future.”

In this connection, Tamal Kanti Banik said, “I sent a memorandum to Keerthi Jallii, Deputy Commissioner, Cachar on 15 May. Responding to this, a team from PWD (Roads) under Engineer Ronodhir Chakraborty visited the spot on 16 May. The contractor Bappa Paul was also present. We had a detailed discussion. Suggestions were also put forward by the people of the locality. However, after that earth filling of the road was done probably the next day. Incessant rainfall on Tuesday made the Chowrangi point so horrible that the road seems more like a paddy field.” The former Ward Commissioner on Tuesday after sent pictures and videos to the Deputy Commissioner through WhatsApp and was awaiting for action since then.

Meanwhile, taking to the social media, many local people are posting pictures of the road at Chowrangi point. Drawing attention of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, a netizen wrote, “When work of a 500 bed hospital can be completed within only 3 days, and here, we have a culvert in the heart of Silchar which lies incomplete since last 5 months.”

A netizen, Bijit Deb on Tuesday wrote in Facebook, “People of entire Ambicapatty and surroundings areas are suffering for non-completion of this connective culvert. In spite of repeated demand and request, no one is taking care to initiate or validate the importance of such significant connecting culvert. Needless to mention, we are having so strong and efficient leaders like MP, MLA, but still we are suffering. Considering the present situation, it is the only road for entire area to get medical support and care for serious patients and any emergency like fire service and so on. So, this is to request to all concerned for taking some urgent initiative as we are now helpless.” Another netizen, Pinak Paul wrote, “I think the contractor has no experience in road and culvert work. DC must interfere.”

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