Memorandum submitted to save stream Rangajan in Gaurisagar

A CORRESPONDENT

GAURISAGAR: The 44 km stretch of NH-37 from Jhanji to Demow has been upgraded to 4 lane highway in 2015 under the initiative of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). The construction of work is now assigned to Siba Harlalkar group under the supervision of National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). The four lane highway construction work has been running since 2016 at a snail peace in upper Assam. A natural stream, Rangajan has been passing through front side of Jhanji Girls High school up to Phulpanichiga beside the NH-37.

Local people had demanded the concerned authority to preserve the rivulet, Rangajan. Now it is seen that the construction company has been filling the rivulet with mud, stone , wood and bamboo stubbles during the construction of the road. As a result, the natural stream has been blocked and the dwellers nearby the Rangajan has been facing lot of problems. Since the project's inception, the local population has pleaded with the relevant government to refrain from obstructing the natural stream in the name of a four-lane highway expansion. Yet, the NHIDCL and the Sivasagar district administration have been completely silent.

Finding no way local people recently convened a public meeting at Phupanichiga Anchalik Rass Ustav Bornaamghar and Kala Krishti Kendra under the chairmanship of social worker Premodhar Neog. In the meeting three important proposals were adopted and a memorandum was submitted to Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner on March 23 seeking his interference to solve their problem at the earliest. 10 days have already passed but Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner Aditya Bikram Yadav is yet to take any initiative.The local people expressed their resentment for the apathy and negligence of both NHIDCL and Sivasagar district administration for showing negligence to their problem. They also threatened to launch a democratic protest soon if the authority do not take any action about it.