Residents Urge New MLA to Address Development Issues in Sonitpur

Community Appeals for Urgent Development

TEZPUR, June 15: Inhabitants of various regions within the Barchala Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC) in Sonitpur district are calling on their newly elected MLA, Ritubaran Sarma, to focus on improving road connectivity, enhancing agricultural practices, and tackling the ongoing erosion issues caused by the Gabharu river.

The constituency was previously represented by Ganesh Kumar Limbu for two consecutive terms, totaling a decade.

However, local residents and reports indicate that the anticipated development did not materialize during his time in office. The area suffers from poor road conditions, ineffective Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) initiatives, and persistent erosion from the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, including the Gabharu and Belsiri rivers. Additionally, illegal encroachments on both government and indigenous lands have hindered progress, despite the region's significant potential for development.

While the State Government and BJP officials often highlight advancements in road infrastructure, many crucial roads in Barchala LAC remain in dire need of repair. Routes like the Sagoli Ahot Tol-Khelmati Bandarmari road, which connects to NH-52, and the Bandarmari-Bindukuri road via Muamari, have become hazardous due to deep potholes resulting from inadequate maintenance. Numerous accidents have occurred on these roads, leading to fatalities.

Frustrated residents have reported that despite numerous appeals to relevant authorities, no substantial action has been taken to resolve these issues.

During the annual monsoon season, severe erosion from the Brahmaputra and its tributaries, especially the Gabharu and Belsiri rivers, devastates large areas of agricultural land in Saraka Baligaon, Bihaguri Jaoni Gaon, Belsiri village, and nearby regions. Locals expressed their disappointment that, despite the awareness of these problems by the responsible departments, little has been done to mitigate the situation, leaving farmers in distress.

Agriculture is the main source of income for most residents in the constituency. However, due to insufficient irrigation facilities, many farmers struggle to prepare adequately for Sali cultivation.

“In recent years, we have faced inadequate rainfall during the summer, which has significantly impacted our farming activities. If we had better irrigation systems, we could manage our agricultural tasks more effectively,” lamented a group of distressed farmers.

Additionally, while the BJP-led Assam Government has ramped up eviction efforts to reclaim government and indigenous lands from alleged illegal encroachers, residents assert that substantial portions of government land in Garuduba-Teligaon, Thelamara, Kolakushi, Bindukuri, Belsiri, Singri, and Barchala Bhangamandir remain occupied by suspected illegal Bangladeshi settlers. They claim these encroachments threaten the rights and existence of indigenous communities.

Another pressing issue is the deteriorating condition of several Jal Jeevan Mission projects. Residents have reported that many initiatives, funded with crores of rupees to ensure safe drinking water for rural households, have become non-functional due to poor construction quality and lack of maintenance.