Monsoon exposes Silchar’s crumbling road infrastructure

Silchar: As monsoon rains expose the fragile state of road infrastructure across the Barak Valley, a civil society organisation has urged Assam govt to send a team of experts to assess road conditions and undertake urgent repairs.The demand comes amid growing public frustration over pothole-ridden roads, waterlogging and traffic congestion that have disrupted daily life in Silchar and other parts of the valley. Residents say years of neglect, poor drainage and inadequate maintenance have turned several roads into hazards for motorists and pedestrians.In an email to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Memorial Swartha Suraksha Parishad called for a comprehensive review of road conditions across the Barak Valley. The organisation said the situation was particularly alarming not only on rural and regional roads but also in urban centres such as Silchar and Sribhumi.The appeal follows widespread complaints about deep potholes, waterlogged stretches and worsening traffic snarls since the onset of the monsoon. Several key roads in Silchar have become difficult to navigate, with rainwater concealing craters and increasing the risk of accidents.Hospital Road, one of the town’s busiest corridors, has emerged as a major bottleneck, causing prolonged delays for commuters, patients and attendants. Residents allege that while development projects are underway in different areas, damaged roads are not being permanently restored.Local business owners and social activists have also highlighted clogged drains, roadside encroachments and unregulated parking as factors leading to worsened traffic congestion and flooding.The Parishad urged the govt to conduct a scientific assessment of the road network and implement long-term measures, including proper drainage management, durable road repairs and improved traffic regulation. Social activists, business leaders and concerned citizens have repeatedly called for urgent intervention, warning that road conditions and waterlogging could deteriorate further during the peak monsoon season if corrective measures are not taken immediately.