Outrage Unleashed: Protesters Demand Action After 17-Year Bridge Construction Delay in Harina

Frustration erupted in the Harina area as residents took to the streets on Friday, blocking National Highway No. 8. Their demand was clear: complete the bridge on the Harina-Chalitachari road, which has been languishing in incomplete status for 17 years. Spanning the Manu river, a vital link along the Sabroom Agartala National Highway, the bridge is crucial for the thousands of locals in Chalitachari.

Construction of this significant project began under the previous government, yet even six years into the current government’s tenure, the bridge remains unfinished. Previously, a temporary footbridge served as an alternative until it was destroyed by floods last August. This left residents, students, and patients with no other choice but to risk crossing the incomplete bridge.

Despite numerous appeals to public representatives and officials, the villagers’ requests have been ignored, leading to Friday morning’s blockade of National Highway No. 8. Students also joined the demonstration, underscoring the widespread impact and urgency of the issue.

Authorities responded by intervening around 10 a.m. The Deputy General Manager of NBCC provided a written assurance promising the bridge’s completion by February. “After 17 years, we now have a written commitment. We hope it will be realized this time,” said a hopeful protestor.

This unrest highlights the disparity between government promises and the situation on the ground. “Ministers may make grand declarations, but the reality is stark in our villages and hills,” another protestor commented, reflecting the broader sentiment of disillusionment among the residents. The episode underscores a critical need for governmental accountability and action to meet the needs of its people.

Original Source: https://tripurachronicle.in/local-news/protests-erupt-over-17-year-delay-in-bridge-construction-at-harina/
Category : Local News
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Publish Date: 2024-12-20 21:33:00