Unified Forum calls for administrative intervention in Silchar due to corruption and unspecified repairs in roadwork, highlighting issues with cold mix bitumen use.
In Silchar, public dissatisfaction is growing due to the use of cold mix bitumen for road repairs and unauthorized work in the Itkhola area. The Unified Forum has raised concerns about these issues, including unauthorized excavation and corruption related to the roadworks. This situation is particularly troubling as cold mix bitumen is unsuitable for Assam’s heavy rainfall.
The problems began when the contractor for the AMRUT Water Supply Projects, working under the Urban Water Supply & Sewerage Board, conducted road digging without the necessary approvals from the Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). This breach of Assam PWD regulations has led to visible corruption, especially on Park Road.
The Additional Chief Engineer of PWD has instructed the Urban Water Supply & Sewerage Board to halt further unauthorized road digging. In response, the Unified Forum has approached the Cachar District Administration seeking intervention.
Arindam Dutta, president of the Unified Forum, criticized the use of cold mix bitumen, questioning its suitability given Assam’s heavy rains. YASE, president of an associated organization, pointed out the wastage of government funds. Legal advisor Bhaskar Bhattacharya emphasized that good road access is a fundamental right and warned of potential public interest litigation against the contractor and relevant departments.
The Unified Forum has submitted a memorandum to the District Development Commissioner, Narsing Bey, addressing these concerns and is awaiting a response from the Cachar District Administration.