Hundreds of residents from Gachirampara area under the Kanchanpur Sub-division in Tripura blocked the main road connecting Dasda to Anandabazar on Wednesday morning. The blockade, which began at 5 AM, is a desperate cry for help from the villagers living in the said areas that has been battling treacherous road conditions for the past five years.
The 13-kilometer stretch of road serving as a lifeline for nearly 50,000 people has been in a state of disrepair. Despite repeated pleas to the Public Works Department (PWD), promises made as recently as 2023 have remained unfulfilled leaving locals to navigate a perilous route daily.
“Every journey is a risk to our lives, we’ve lost count of the accidents and near-misses. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about survival.” said a local resident.
The deteriorating road condition has far-reaching consequences. Students struggle to reach schools during monsoons, the elderly and sick face harrowing journeys to hospitals, and pregnant women are put at risk during medical emergencies.
As news of the blockade spread, long queues of vehicles formed on both sides of the road. The DCM of Kanchanpur Sub-division and the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Dasda RD Block immediately reached to the location. However, their attempts to negotiate have been met with firm resolve from the protesters.
“We’ve heard empty promises before and this time, we demand action. We won’t budge until the District Magistrate of North Tripura intervenes.” said another protester.