For years, the historic Dhodar Ali Road, an essential state highway in Assam, has fallen into disrepair, leading to frustration among residents and local organizations due to government inaction. Recent monsoon rains have exacerbated the situation, transforming long stretches into a dangerous landscape marked by potholes, craters, and waterlogged areas. This road spans 212 kilometers from Kamargaon in Golaghat district to Joypur in Dibrugarh district, passing through Jorhat and Sivasagar, where 104 kilometers lie. Despite being earmarked for renovation under the Asom Mala Programme in 2021, the project remains incomplete as contractors abandoned it midway, leaving a road that resembles a dirt track.
The Sivasagar section, which is nearly half the total length, is especially critical because it connects remote villages to urban centers. The rest of the road is divided into segments of 42 kilometers in Golaghat, 51 kilometers in Jorhat, and 15 kilometers in Dibrugarh. Originally constructed in 1687 during the reign of Ahom king Gadadhar Singha, Dhodar Ali is not only a vital transportation route but also steeped in history. Its name, meaning “Lazy Man’s Road,” derives from folklore suggesting that laborers who pretended to be indolent were tasked with building it to evade royal duties. However, this historical significance has not ensured timely repairs over the years.
“This road is not just a pathway — it’s a living relic of the Ahom dynasty. It’s disgraceful that such a significant route has been allowed to fall into ruin despite repeated assurances of repair,” remarked historian Biswa Pratim Baruah from Sivasagar. The relentless rainfall has severely worsened the road’s conditions, with various segments submerged under knee-deep water and hazardous potholes threatening commuter safety. Daily, ambulances, school buses, and freight vehicles face delays and accidents. “The road is now a death trap. Vehicles get damaged, people get injured, and ambulances fail to reach patients on time. How many more lives must be endangered before the authorities respond?” questioned Minakshi Phukan, a schoolteacher from Namti, Sivasagar, who uses the road for her daily commute.
Despite the road’s inclusion in the Asom Mala Programme — a flagship initiative aimed at updating the state’s road infrastructure — the effort has faltered, with contractors digging up sections only to abandon the work, leaving behind damaged asphalt, uneven surfaces, and incomplete drains. “We were told this program would revolutionize road infrastructure. Instead, it has made things worse. We have submitted memorandums, protested, and waited patiently. If the government continues to ignore us, our agitation will escalate,” warned Kandarpa Neog, general secretary of the Aasu Namti unit.
As the monsoon rains continue to plague the region, the people of Sivasagar and neighboring districts grapple with a deteriorating lifeline and waning hope. For now, Dhodar Ali Road stands not merely as a historic pride but as a poignant reminder of ongoing neglect.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/historic-dhodar-ali-road-in-shambles-amid-govt-apathy/articleshow/121980802.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-06-21 04:45:00
