Road neglected for 15 yrs repaired by students in 48 hrs

Dibrugarh: In a significant demonstration of inter-state cooperation and community initiative, two leading student organisations from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh collaborated to repair the deteriorating Margherita-Deomali road. The two-day voluntary service programme took place on Dec 22 and 23, with the All Assam Students’ Union (Aasu), Margherita unit, and the All Tirap District Students’ Union (ATDSU) of Arunachal Pradesh joining forces.Braving the cold, hundreds of student volunteers worked on the Margherita-Deomali connecting road, a crucial link between the two states. Equipped with an excavator, shovels, and gravel, the volunteers filled deep craters and hazardous potholes along the stretch from Dirok Gate to Margherita.Student leaders highlighted that the road has been in a “dilapidated and dangerous” state for 15 years, despite its importance for trade, education, and healthcare.The initiative was led by Aasu Margherita Unit President Abhishek Baruah and General Secretary Mriganka Chutia, along with ATDSU President Jawang Bangsia and General Secretary Priyang Pumoh Tati Matdi.“This joint programme is not just about filling potholes—it is about sending a strong message to both state governments about their failure to maintain a road that serves as a lifeline for hundreds of people daily,” said Abhishek Baruah.Jawang Bangsia emphasized the unity demonstrated by the initiative, stating, “This collaborative effort shows that when governments fail, civil society and student organizations can come together across state boundaries to serve the people.”The Margherita-Deomali road is a vital economic and social link between Assam’s Tinsukia district and Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district, facilitating trade and access to educational and medical facilities.Local residents and commuters expressed gratitude for the students’ efforts while voicing frustration with government inaction. A local businessman remarked, “These students have done in two days what our governments haven’t accomplished in 15 years.” Both Aasu and ATDSU plan to continue monitoring the road’s condition and have urged the Assam and Arunachal Pradesh governments to allocate funds for its reconstruction.