A CORRESPONDENT
LAKHIMPUR: The PWD road connecting Amolguri Tiniali to Simaludonga under Dhakuakhana subdivision of Lakhimpur district got damaged before six months from the completion of its construction. At present, the road is getting cracked and has sunk at the both ends of the Simaludonga bridge. It is considered as a pointer to misappropriation of funds while implementing the construction scheme.
Notably, the 1.369-km-long road along with an RCC bridge and two culverts was constructed through Lakhimpur PWD Division around five months ago after spending a fund of Rs. 3,33,96,348 sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), package No. AS: 15-287. One contractor named Madhab Saikia was engaged for the implementation of the scheme.
The local people and Homen Saikia, the president of the Dhakuakhana regional unit of the Anti-Corruption Youth Power, Assam, (ACYPA) alleged that the road from Amolguri to Simaludonga was not constructed as per estimate maintaining the required amount of crushed stone layer and black-topping layer. As a result of it, the layer of black topping is getting cracked and detached at various stretches within a short period from the completion of its construction. For the same reason, the road has caved in at both ends of Simaludonga bridge. In this regard, Homen Saikia further alleged that the black-topping was completed at the two approaches of the bridge in haste just after earth-filling. Due to this reason rain and growing water have caused major damage of the road at these portions. The side berm of the road was also not constructed as per estimate filling adequate amount of earth at both sides due to which rain cuts are witnessed at various parts of the road.
Under such circumstances, the Dhakuakhana regional unit of the ACYPA has demanded the Dhakuakhana dubdivisinal and Lakhimpur district administration to conduct an inquiry into the alleged issues of the road and its repair.