Assam Drivers Demand Repairs as Toll Roads and Rural Routes Crumble

Guwahati: Drivers in Assam are pushing back against crumbling road infrastructure. Large potholes and mud define the stretch between Hatibandha and Dalapani village. This rural road serves Chulung High School and several primary institutions. Rain transforms these gaps into deep, water-filled craters. Locals say the Public Works Department ignores the decay. Commuting here now carries a high risk of accidents.

The trouble reaches beyond rural zones. National Highway 27 is also falling apart. Motorists pay toll taxes at multiple points while hitting deep holes. Data shows 12 operational toll gates across the state as of 2026. The National Highways Authority of India collected 500.8 crore rupees in 2024. Despite this cash flow, the road between Khanpara and Nagaon is in bad shape. Drivers pay at the Nazirakhat and Raha toll plazas for the privilege of navigating dangerous debris. A similar disaster exists on the Jalukbari to Pathsala route near the Madanpur toll gate.

Heavy vehicles and buses force smaller cars to swerve or brake hard. Darkness and rain hide the true depth of the hazards. Frustrated drivers are demanding accountability from the agencies tasked with upkeep. One commuter stated: "If toll tax is being collected regularly, commuters have a right to expect roads that are safe and properly maintained." Residents want immediate action. They are tired of paying for roads that are not fit for travel.