Tura, Aug 28: Once one of the best roads for a drive in the entire state, the Tura – Paikan road (National Highway – 51) has of late turned into a quagmire of potholes and rough edges, something that needs immediate attention. The road is by the most used road in the entire Garo Hills region and second to the Guwahati – Shillong highway in the state, in terms of traffic.
The situation in about 25 kms of the road between Goeragre and Jengjal and beyond has suddenly become a traveler’s nightmare. Hasty repairs on the same section through the use of cement bricks instead of improving the situation, made it worse. The section of the road that needs immediate attention falls within the jurisdiction of West Garo Hills.
The worst sections are between Rongram and Asanang and Waribok to beyond Jengjal, where road widening was earlier being taken up. With the rains playing spoilsport, many of the yet to be completed sections have developed potholes. Adding to the worry is the hairpin bends that are the norm on the especially bad section, accidents, mainly heavy trucks, have become a common phenomenon.
“There have been frequent accidents of trucks just near Asanang as the hair pin bends and poor road led to overloaded trucks losing control. This section has become a nightmare for travelers and the PWD department should look into its repair immediately,” felt a local from the Asanang area.
While repairs are expected to be undertaken soon, especially with the Wangala festival just around the corner, locals feel it needs to be expedited so that commuting can be hazard and hassle free.
The PWD department could not be reached for comment.
