YEAR IN REVIEW
From Our Correspondent
TURA, Dec 28: Infrastructure in Garo Hills has always been a cause of concern over the past few decades with literally nothing to show for all the years of development. However, that story seems to have changed a bit in almost all fronts over the past few years with 2023 possibly being a watershed year for the region.
To say road communication has improved and is still improving is an understatement with almost all major roads in the region currently being worked on and further improvement expected in the coming years. While it may still take time for road infrastructure to really pronounce itself and become world class, some believe things are getting there.
Let’s look at some of the major roads and the development that is expected in the coming days.
NH-51
The widening of the highway between Rongram and the town of Tura is currently under way in full swing. Earlier, the narrow approach to the town including its hairpin bends made life difficult for drivers. With the road now expected to be a full-fledged two lane highway, the traffic situation is expected to improve.
The work on the stretch is being done by contractors, ARSS who are also working on the section between Tura to the border town of Dalu.
While work has been stalled due a ‘sinking zone’, it is expected to be completed soon paving for a complete two day between Paikan in Assam to Dalu in WGH, a stretch of close to 150 kms. The completed road will form a part of the new NH 127B once all roads in the region are completed and connected to each other.
Maheshkola – Rongara
– Baghmara road
One of the worst stretches of road that anyone could imagine is now almost complete with at least 3 companies contracted to the NHIDCL currently working on the project. It too will form a part of the NH – 127B.
The road, once complete, will provide a shorter route to the state capital for residents of SGH as well as parts of WGH.
NH-44E
One of the best roads in the entire North East has continued to remain literally unblemished over the past 6-7 years barring a few sections which show wear and tear.
Some sections of the road have been repaired but continue to be an example on how roads should be built.
NH-62
While the NH – 62 between Dudhnoi in Assam and connecting the town of Dalu continues to be a nightmare for travelers between Rongsa – Awe to Karongre, the situation is expected to change in the coming years as NHIDCL has already announced a sanction for its complete overhaul.
The most meme’d road in the Garo Hills has been a travelers nightmare due to the poor condition as well as lack of repair.
While timber bridges have been replaced by RCC ones in most sections, people still consider travelling on the route only if absolutely unavoidable. As per sources, tendering for more than 180 kms of the road is expected the coming year, 2024 and road construction is set to begin soon after. It too will form part of the NH – 127B.
Apart from the national highways, here is the situation with other major roads in Garo Hills.
AMPT road
The road that has remained in a perpetual state of disrepair and pot holes the size of swimming pools continues to remain poor for more than half its length. Starting at Sign Board near the Assam border, the road is good till the village of Nidanpur about 40 kms away after it was recently restored. However once one crosses Nidanpur, the old nightmares begin and continue for close to 3 hours until you reach Garobadha, more than 80 kms away. Some sections between Rajabala and Garobadha are well nigh un-navigable in parts. No further repairs are currently expected except for the section between Chibinang and Phulbari which was recently announced by the CM, Conrad Sangma. The Phulbari – Dhubri bridge is still a few years away from completion. There is however a major fillip for the people of the region with the announcement of the NHIDCL of a two lane highway through the AMPT road. This is expected to begin soon and will join the bridge once completed.
Rajabala – Selsella – Garobadha road
A section between Gonglanggre to Selsella that was recently completed by Badri Rai and Company (BRC) has received complaints of poor implementation as potholes have formed. BRC did not have a good year in terms of projects after another project of theirs; the Tura PA Sangma stadium suffered a wall collapse. Further their roads between Damra – Bajengdoba and the Hill Road between Rongram – Phulbari are almost two years overdue.
Garobadha – Ampati – Dalu road
Once one of the best roads in the entire region, continued abuse by overloaded trucks exporting boulders has made life a nightmare for travelers. Repairs for the sections that have been extremely damaged is currently underway though it is not expected to last due to the same culprits still using the road for boulder export.
Telecommunications
The year 2023 has been a boon for mobile phone users with the launch of 5G networking as well as increase in coverage of the various telecom companies that service the area – BSNL, JIO, Airtel and Vodafone.
Gone are the days when in remote areas, getting a mobile phone network meant climbing a tree for reception or a nearby hill. Currently there are very few shadow areas where network is not available including the border areas in the districts of SWGH, WGH and SGH. With the introduction of 5G streaming services have received a huge boost as has online related businesses in the region. Many places, even in the main towns of Tura, Baghmara, Williamnagar had earlier complained of poor reception, though that seems to be a thing of the past now.