GUWAHATI: Hatigaon Road turns out to be treacherous as a portion of the road is barricaded with sandbags and blocks making it life-threatening for motorists. Commuters too are unhappy with the current situation of the newly built road.
Soon after the completion of various road projects across Guwahati, the quality of work is raising concerns as bits and pieces of roads are starting to degrade. Most of the roads were restored just before the Durga Puja celebration. Both 'bitumen and blocks' were used accordingly to provide ease of traffic movement. However, the residents of Guwahati couldn't cherish those moments for long.
After a significant amount of vehicular activity, either the base of the road turned out to be uneven or smooth roads turned out to be full of craters.
The situation escalates during night hours when vehicles are more prone to accidents as the area has no reflectors or caution signage.
While expressing discontent a resident of Hatigaon shared with GPlus, "Many a times bikers often skid near this portion. There have been no such major accidents till now, but I guess the authority is waiting for that. Moreover, the traffic congestion due to this is another problem."
Another resident from that area expressed his concern saying, "The broken portion of the slab was covered with sand and bricks. But, if this continues there'll be a drain block and the flash floods will continue. Despite all the money put into the work will mean nothing if the water logging issue in this area still continues."
Apparently, the authority was informed by the locals to take care of the death trap, but all those pleas landed on deaf ears. Restoration of the slab in that area is still pending.
While speaking to GPlus, an official from the Public Works Department (PWD) said, "As the vehicles started moving on the fresh slab, a portion of it broke. This is because of the vehicular movement before the duration period. The public too is at fault. Though we restricted movement through that road initially so as to make it firmer, the public doesn’t have the patience to abide by it. They removed the barricades and continued with their daily routine."
He further mentioned that the authority has been notified and the reconstruction of that portion will be initiated soon. Commuters are advised to tread carefully until then.
With the risk of accidents on the rise. PWD is expected to fast forward the work and provide safe roads for the citizens to ply on.