Kailashahar: The Kailashahar-Rangauti road, constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) scheme at a cost of several crores of rupees, has once again fallen into a deplorable condition, exposing what residents and locals allege was shoddy and rushed construction work carried out ahead of the 2023 assembly elections.
The 7-kilometre stretch, awarded to a prominent contractor firm before the elections, was hastily completed within a tight deadline. Locals allege that during construction, an excessive amount of sand was mixed with stones during the metalling process, severely compromising the road’s durability. As a consequence, even moderate rainfall is enough to cause the road surface to crack and develop potholes, rendering it hazardous for commuters.
The contractor has reportedly repaired the road twice since its construction, as per the five-year maintenance obligation under the scheme. However, residents point out that the road deteriorates every seven to eight months due to the fundamentally poor quality of the original construction, making periodic repairs nothing more than a temporary fix.
The road serves as the sole lifeline for the northern parts of Kailashahar, with hundreds of vehicles including autos, rickshaws, tuktuks, bicycles, and heavy vehicles using it daily. Stretches between Dak Bungalow to Kubhjhar, Kubhjhar to Tilabazar, and Tilabazar to Rangauti have developed large potholes, making vehicular movement virtually impossible.
Frustrated residents are now demanding immediate and permanent repair of the road, and are calling for accountability over the alleged misuse of public funds.