Guwahati: Growing concerns over road safety and the prolonged deterioration of major highways prompted the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) to organise human-chain protests across Assam on Friday, with the student body demanding immediate repair and reconstruction of damaged roads.
The statewide demonstration was aimed at drawing attention to what AASU described as the worsening condition of roads, particularly stretches of national highways where construction and repair work has continued for extended periods. The organisation said commuters are being forced to travel through pothole-ridden and unsafe stretches despite the importance of these routes.
AASU president Utpal Sarma criticised the authorities over the condition of roads and questioned the continued collection of tolls while, according to the organisation, basic safety concerns remain unresolved.
Sarma also referred to the recent deaths of seven people at Khetri, arguing that authorities must take concrete steps to prevent similar incidents on Assam’s roads. He said responsibility for maintaining national highways and ensuring the safety of road users cannot be avoided by government agencies or highway authorities.
Protest Held at Lengeri in Tingkhong
As part of the statewide programme, AASU activists staged a separate human-chain demonstration at Lengeri in Tingkhong on September 11, focusing particularly on the condition of NH-52(B).
The protest was organised following a call from AASU and under the initiative of the Dibrugarh District Students’ Union. More than a hundred members reportedly joined the demonstration along the highway.
Protesters alleged that the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh connecting highway has remained in poor condition for a prolonged period, despite repeated complaints and demands for improvement. They called for immediate intervention to restore the road and make the route safer for commuters.
The demonstration also saw protesters raising slogans against the authorities and demanding that repair and reconstruction work be taken up without further delay.
Road Safety Becomes Major Concern
The protests come amid increasing public concern over the condition of several roads and highways in Assam. AASU has argued that prolonged construction, damaged road surfaces and large potholes are creating serious risks for motorists and other road users.
The organisation has called for coordinated action to repair damaged stretches and ensure that ongoing highway projects do not leave commuters exposed to unsafe conditions.
The human-chain demonstrations across the state were intended to put pressure on the authorities to address these concerns and prioritise road safety alongside infrastructure development. Recent reporting also confirmed that AASU organised the statewide programme to highlight deteriorating road conditions and demand government intervention.
