Dhubri residents stage protest against water logging on Netaji Subhas Road

DHUBRI: Shopkeepers, residents of Netaji Subhas Road and people of Dhubri town stage blockade and protested on Tuesday against water logging on Netaji Subhas Road of Dhubri town, demanding to raise the level of the road and construction of high and load bearing drain on both sides to stop the perennial water-logging problem.

The demonstration was led by ardent social worker Simul Sarkar who said that water logging had hit shop keepers hard as it very often forced them to close nearly 150 shops on both sides of the road as water spills over to their shops after a moderate downpour.

"The other roads connecting Netaji Subhas Road such as HN Road, DD Road and AK Azad Road have been raised by laying inter-locking block. As a result, rain water flows down to this road and remains stagnant here for days together due to clogged drains and outlets," Sarkar further alleged.

Shopkeepers of Netaji Subhas Road alleged that despite their several pleas, neither the MP and local MLA nor Dhubri Municipal Board and PWD (Road) ever paid any attention to this road. Dhubri Municipal Board says that this road falls under the board while PWD (Road) says that it is their road but they do not have the fund to construct it. Although they had sent the plan and estimate to the State Government long back, fund is yet to be sanctioned, they further alleged.

They also informed that on September 18, all shopkeepers submitted memorandum to Dhubri Deputy Commissioner Anant Lal Gyani and urged him to raise the level of the road and to construct high and load bearing drain but nothing substantial has been done so far in this regard. Shopkeepers warned the district authority that if works did not start within a week, they would intensify their movement after that.

Dhubri Circle Officer JS Sarma along with officer-in-charge of Dhubri police station, Mukul Hazarika rushed to Netaji Subhas Road to hear the grievances and problems faced by the shopkeepers and assured the protesters to take up the issue before the officials and departments concerned.

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