Editor,
I write to you on behalf of the residents of Kolma with a deep sense of frustration and urgency regarding the severely deteriorated condition of the PMGSY road that runs through our locality. This road, constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), was intended to serve as a vital link for light motor vehicles, facilitating safe and reliable transportation for rural communities. However, over the past four years, this essential infrastructure has been systematically damaged due to the unauthorized and reckless use of heavy machinery and vehicles by private companies operating in the region.
The most significant damage began when companies involved in the construction of the Nirjuli to Karsingsa viaduct bridge began using the road to transport heavy equipment and materials. Despite the road’s design limitations, these companies continued to operate without regard for its structural integrity. Later, SPS Pvt Ltd also carried out work in the area, further worsening the condition of the road. Our repeated appeals to these companies and the relevant government departments have gone unanswered, leaving our community to bear the consequences of this neglect.
The impact on daily life has been profound and distressing. The Government Upper Primary School Kolma is located along this road, and the damaged surface now poses a serious safety risk to schoolchildren who must walk or commute on this hazardous stretch every day. The movement of heavy vehicles has not only compromised the road but also caused damage to private boundary walls, electricity poles, and wiring, creating dangerous conditions and imposing financial burdens on families who are already struggling. In addition, many villagers had constructed retaining walls to prevent soil erosion, as our locality lies near the riverside. These protective structures, built with personal effort and limited resources, have been destroyed by the careless passage of heavy vehicles, leaving our homes vulnerable to environmental degradation.
The road has become nearly unusable for regular commuting. Pedestrians and light motor vehicles now face immense difficulty navigating the broken and uneven surface, which has effectively isolated our community and disrupted access to essential services. In response to this worsening situation, I submitted a formal notice signed by villagers concerned and endorsed by local authorities, requesting immediate intervention. When our appeals were ignored, we took the difficult decision to temporarily block the road to restrict the movement of heavy vehicles, allowing only light motor vehicles to pass. This peaceful act of protest was met with retaliation, as private companies filed FIRs against me and several villagers, criminalizing our efforts to protect our community.
Following police advice, I removed the blockade and approached the circle officer of Gumto, requesting an on-site investigation. Despite verbal assurances, the CO failed to visit the area even after a week. I then approached the district magistrate’s office, which acknowledged the issue and directed me to contact the RWD office in Karsingsa. Yet again, despite another week’s passing, the RWD office had not received any directive from the DC, leaving us in a state of bureaucratic limbo and deepening our sense of abandonment.
This prolonged inaction has left the people of Kolma feeling unheard and neglected. We are not seeking special treatment; we are demanding accountability, justice, and the restoration of our right to safe and accessible infrastructure. We therefore urge the department’s concerned to take immediate and decisive action. A thorough inspection of the road must be conducted to assess the extent of the damage. The usage norms of the PMGSY scheme must be enforced to prevent further misuse by heavy vehicles. Those responsible for the destruction must be held accountable, and urgent repair work must be initiated to restore safe access for schoolchildren, residents, and light motor vehicles.
We sincerely hope that this letter will not be another overlooked plea but a call to action that prompts meaningful intervention. The people of Kolma deserve roads that are safe, authorities that are responsive, and a future that is not compromised by negligence and indifference.
Nabam Saha