Give us road, only then we will vote, say Chandmari Rudranagar residents

GUWAHATI: The apathy of the successive governments in giving a motorable road even after 75 years of Independence in Chandmari Rudranagar, which fall under the only fully urban assembly constituency — Gauhati East — compelled the locals to take a decision, “first road, then vote” in the Lok Sabha elections to be held next year.
The locality in the Guwahati Municipal Corporation ward 35 is just around 2 km from the Chandmari main road and still lags behind in basic infrastructure. Not an ambulance or a fire tender can go to this area during an emergency as there is no road. Locals piggyback patients to the foothills to get an ambulance or any other vehicle.
Dulal Chandra Baniah, a resident of the area for the last around 50 years, said the political leaders visit the area only during the election time and give assurances. “However, those assurances are never fulfilled. Even after getting elected, no MLA or MP has visited the area. The people of the area have given several petitions to the successive MLAs over the years. All went in deaf ears,” he added.
The prime demand of the people of the locality, he said, is a motorable road. “If only the votes are important for the leaders, then people can opt for NOTA also. It’s a give and take now. Give written assurance about the road, and take our votes,” he added.
A retired government employee, Nalini Sarma, said the locality is probably the only area in the state that lags behind basic infrastructure facilities. “You will see pukka road everywhere. The roads in remote villages and in the other hills have been constructed. This locality is left untouched,” he added.
Seven Congress MLAs served the Gauhati East assembly constituency and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) won the constituency twice. BJP won the seat twice in 2016 and 2021. Congress leaders Robin Bordoloi, Pankaj Bora and Biraj Sarma while BJP leader Siddhartha Bhattacharya represented the constituency in the assembly.
The residents of the area have now urged the chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to consider the need of the road.