SARIMUL LASKAR, SILCHAR:-Kalain-Malidhar-Silchar road is no longer just a means of transportation — it has become a symbol of extreme suffering and hardship. Every day, school-going children, office commuters, patients, and common citizens endure severe difficulties on this dilapidated road. During the rainy season, vehicles get stuck in mud, while in the dry season, thick dust causes breathing problems. Most alarmingly, many bridges have already collapsed under the pressure of overloaded trucks.
The primary reason for the destruction of this road is the unchecked movement of overloaded trucks carrying coal, limestone, and other goods from Meghalaya. According to local complaints and various reports, although the legal load limit for trucks is 20-25 tons, these vehicles carry 45 to 60 tons or even more. As a result, the road is being torn apart and bridges are collapsing. The Harang Bridge and several other structures have recently given way due to excessive load.
The biggest question is how these overloaded trucks are entering the Barak Valley despite security arrangements at the Digarkhal Toll Gate. Locals allege that the checking at the toll gate is merely for show. A powerful syndicate is reportedly operating behind the scenes, allowing these trucks to enter freely. Thousands of rupees are paid as bribes for each truck to ensure smooth passage. Those who have been running this illegal business for decades are known as “Lifetime Businessmen.” They are believed to have deep connections with the administration and political circles.
Coal and limestone are being brought illegally from the Meghalaya border. In many cases, these are extracted through environmentally destructive rat-hole mining. The coal is then smuggled through the Barak Valley to Tripura and other places. The syndicate members are amassing huge profits, while ordinary people suffer from dust, accidents, and severe transportation problems. Multiple media outlets have repeatedly highlighted this illegal transportation. Truck overturns and bridge collapses have become regular occurrences, yet the administration’s action remains nominal.
Serious questions have been raised over the Assam Government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Roads are repaired from time to time, but they get damaged again within days due to the continuous pressure of overloaded trucks. Although strict monitoring at the Digarkhal Toll Gate and other checkpoints is often promised, no effective action is visible against the syndicate in reality.
Locals have repeatedly staged protests and submitted appeals, but the administration continues to act as a silent spectator. This is not merely inefficiency; many believe it is a result of deliberate negligence and corruption. Such free movement would not be possible without collusion with the “Lifetime Businessmen.”
School students are unable to reach school on time. Patients face delays in emergency treatment. Daily commuting has become a painful ordeal. The environment is also being severely damaged due to dust pollution and river contamination.
The pathetic condition of the Kalain-Malidhar road is not just a local problem — it is a clear reflection of administrative and political corruption. If the government does not listen to the people and take swift action, public anger will only increase. The reign of the illegal coal mafia must end. The government must restore the safety and right to smooth transportation for the people.
