GUWAHATI: A damaged stretch of Rajgarh Road in Guwahati that had raised concerns over commuter safety has now been repaired, with authorities laying a fresh layer of asphalt over the affected section. However, local residents have questioned whether the latest repair will provide a lasting solution, alleging that recurring pipeline issues beneath the road remain unresolved.
The stretch, located in a busy commercial and residential area, had witnessed repeated damage over the past year, prompting fears of accidents and drawing criticism from commuters and residents alike. While the road surface has now been restored, many locals believe the repair addresses only the visible damage and not the underlying cause.
Speaking to GPlus, a Jal Board official said, “The pipeline along Rajgarh Road has been repaired. We will also undertake repair work across the entire Rajgarh area very soon.”
Despite the assurance, residents remain sceptical, citing a history of repeated repairs at the same location.
Debasish Neog, a resident of the area, said, “Unless the pipelines are permanently fixed, this road will continue to be damaged. This problem has been going on for a year, and they have temporarily repaired it more than five times. So, I don't expect this repair to be any different.”
According to residents, leakages from underground pipelines have repeatedly weakened the road foundation, resulting in potholes and surface damage. They claim that each repair has largely involved patchwork measures, with the road deteriorating again after a short period.
The latest repair has improved traffic movement and removed the immediate hazard. However, residents are urging authorities to undertake a permanent overhaul of both the underground pipeline network and the affected road stretch to prevent recurring damage and repeated expenditure on temporary fixes.