Small local traders of Kharkutta area under North Garo Hills district have been severely affected by the deplorable conditions of the road, which has also prompted them to give up their businesses.
This was stated by the Kharkutta regional unit of the Achik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) who recently visited different parts of the area and interacted with the locals there.
The organisation named the damaged roads in Kharkutta Bazar, Kharkutta Rewasing to Block, Me’gam Along, Baghabatta Bazar to Do’singkol, Lower Rongbu and Kentra near Kentra Baptist Church Baksalpara Na’chirongdik to Baksalpara Govt UP School and Baksalpara to Arbelpara Road and others.
According to AHAM, the condition of these roads have not only affected the farmers and students but many local traders who sell banana, areca nut, broom and many other produce businessmen are compelled to stop doing business.
“Banana is a source of survival for the locals who make a living by carrying these produce on their bicycles to sell at Daranggiri market in Assam. But due to the severity of the road conditions they have to transport their produce by commercial vehicles which is costlier than carrying in bicycle,” the organisation said, adding, “Many farmers and businessmen have to abandon their business and find jobs in other companies away from the state leaving their families.”
In addition, the students who go to school on two-wheelers meet with accidents due to the presence of potholes and cracks on these roads, AHAM added.
These grievances were also raised by the organisation in a letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma yesterday with a plea to allocate funds for their repair and upgrade.
