NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding Centre’s tall claims on investing in a huge way in the National Highways in the North East, infuriated locals on Wednesday blocked a portion of the badly-damaged NH-8 and planted paddy on the potholes.
The NH-8 stretches from Ratacherra in Meghalaya up to Agartala in Tripura through Assam’s Karimganj district.
Also known as the lifeline of Karimganj district, NH-8 has become a virtual nightmare for commuters owing to massive potholes that fill up within minutes of rainfall. While some parts of the National Highway are a nightmare, the stretch from Kanaibazar to Mundamalanear Patharkandi in Karimganj is in a dilapidated condition, beyond imagination.
On Wednesday, some locals organised a protest against the state government.
While blocking the road for an indefinite period, the protesters planted paddy plants on the potholes in NH-8 to demonstrate the condition of that stretch of road.
Many trucks carrying essential commodities and goods were seen stuck on NH-8 due to the pitiable condition of the highway. Now with this indefinite blockade, no one knows what will happen to the people depending on this road.