GUWAHATI: Residents of West Ramsa Hills, nestled in the scenic Kharguli area, find themselves caught in a spiral of neglect and indifference, courtesy of the Public Works Department (PWD). In the aftermath of a recent mishap that shook the community, locals are raising their voices against the dangerous state of the roads in their vicinity.
Carved amidst steep and narrow terrain, the roads of West Ramsa Hills have become notorious for their susceptibility to accidents and landslides. Despite repeated pleas and petitions from the public, the PWD still needs to address these pressing concerns, leaving the safety of commuters and residents hanging in the balance.
As one of the prominent locations in Guwahati, West Ramsa Hills observes a constant influx of commuters and residents navigating through its treacherous pathways. However, the lack of safety measures, such as safety beams and signages, intensifies the risks associated with traversing these roads, turning each transit into a perilous venture.
While speaking to GPlus, Arijit Choudhury, a resident of West Ramsa Hills said, "It is extremely annoying that our pleas were negated. Back in 2013, we requested the authority to take corrective measures regarding the state of the roads. But, no definite solution was provided. We are done raising voices on deaf ears. There is no response from the concerned authority at all."
"The accident was unfortunate, but if the department had done their job then the damages could have been avoided. The four-wheeler toppled into our campus. Luckily, the trees managed to reduce the impact and the individuals didn't face any fatality. Anyway we had to break a wall to recover the vehicle," added Choudhury.
He further stated that two walls were erected at the corner of the road above at personal expense. The vehicle skidded through the portion which had no wall.
Residents are demanding that the government take action in response to the latest tragedy, which serves as a reminder of the consequences of bureaucratic failure. The days of being indifferent and doing nothing are long gone when lives are on the line and disaster is looming huge.
An auto-rickshaw driver while expressing discontent to GPlus said, "The area has developed a lot, but the safety of the road still remains a question. Due to the natural beauty people often visit this place on two or four-wheelers. Moreover, the presence of guest houses in the area is another reason for the increase in visitors. This further escalates the risk factor as new motorists are not acquainted with the road and eventually end up in some form of mishap."
Upon asking whether any measures are being lined up, a senior official from PWD replied, "We are not aware of the current condition of the road. Thus, no specific changes have been planned. Only after an official discussion will we be able to figure out a definite outcome."
The people of West Ramsa Hills are determined to hold the PWD responsible and guarantee the protection of their community despite a wave of anger and anxiety. Their cries, formerly silenced by the noise of bureaucracy, may now be heard over the hills, calling for immediate action to stop such disasters.