SILCHAR: A dam on the Barak river in Assam’s Cachar district, constructed at a cost of Rs. 18 crore, has partially collapsed just nine months after completion, raising concerns over the quality of work.
The collapse occurred in Shantipur, near Gonirgram, within the Katigorah assembly constituency, approximately 28 kilometers from Silchar. According to reports, a 30-meter section of the embankment caved in near Shantipur Bazar on Monday, while other parts are also at risk. Locals have resorted to placing bamboo fences along the embankment to prevent further damage.
Residents of Shantipur, who relied on the embankment as the only road for connectivity, said the collapse has left the area isolated. Students are now unable to attend school, and local movement has been severely affected.
Villagers allege the embankment was built with substandard materials, and construction did not follow proper guidelines, leading to the early failure. Some residents had raised concerns about the quality of the work at the project’s inception, but officials reportedly ignored their warnings. The locals have accused authorities of a “neglectful attitude” and suspect that a significant portion of the project’s budget was misappropriated. They are demanding a high-level investigation into the issue.
Katigorah MLA Khalil Uddin Mazumder told EastMojo that he has contacted the relevant authorities and assured that necessary steps will be taken to restore the embankment soon.
Also Read | Multiple train services canceled due to Cyclone Rana