Guwahati: A large sinkhole has emerged on a road in Assam's Nagaon district just three months after the stretch underwent extensive renovations. The cavity appeared in Halowa village along the route connecting Diphalu and Borma, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department.
The project, funded by the Chief Minister's Road Renewal Scheme, covered a 2.659-km stretch between Karhali and Halowa villages at a reported cost exceeding Rs 68 lakh. Local residents now face significant travel disruptions and safety risks due to the crater, which measures nearly eight feet in length. To prevent accidents, villagers have placed bamboo barricades around the damaged section.
The collapse has ignited sharp criticism regarding the project's execution. Residents allege that the construction company finished the work in haste and utilized substandard materials. Some locals also contend that portions of the road were built narrower than the official project specifications. One resident stated, "Residents alleged that the road was reconstructed in haste by the construction company and that poor-quality work has resulted in the formation of a massive tunnel-like crater."
Community members are calling for an immediate investigation into both the construction quality and the potential misuse of public funds. Despite these allegations and the growing demand for a formal inquiry, the Public Works Department has yet to issue an official response regarding the structural failure.
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