HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, May 15: In a spirited demonstration of public concern, more than a hundred members of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), Tinsukia district committee—supported by regional committees from Margherita, Digboi, Pengree, Bordumsa, and Tirap Jagun—took to the streets of Ledo on Thursday, demanding immediate repairs to the crumbling National Highway 315 (NH 315).
The protest, described as a vibrant show of unity and civic urgency, unfolded along the route from Ledo College Tinali to Ledo Bazaar, where AJYCP members marched with placards and raised slogans, highlighting the dilapidated condition of NH 315—an essential arterial route that connects Margherita to Ledo in Assam’s coal-rich Upper Assam region.
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Once considered a major transportation corridor, NH 315 has now reportedly deteriorated into a severely damaged roadway riddled with massive potholes.
Locals described the potholes as “small ponds”, underscoring the severity of the neglect.
According to residents and protesters, the condition of the highway poses grave risks to both motorists and pedestrians, with daily commutes turning into dangerous and exhausting ordeals.
Addressing the gathering, AJYCP Tinsukia district president Prabin Tamuli and vice president Kanchan Borah voiced sharp criticism against what they termed as continued government apathy.
“Despite the daily reliance of thousands of vehicles and pedestrians on this crucial highway, both state and central governments have failed to take any meaningful action,” said Tamuli.
Borah, in his remarks, singled out Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma for special criticism, stating that even though the legislator frequently travels on NH 315, he appears to have “turned a blind eye” to its deteriorating state.
“The people of Margherita and Ledo deserve better than a highway that endangers lives,” said Borah, urging both MLA Bhaskar Sharma and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take urgent steps to restore NH 315.
He asserted that proper road connectivity is not only a matter of comfort but also vital to ensuring regional safety, development, and economic activity.
The AJYCP leaders warned that if authorities failed to respond with timely action, the organisation would escalate the movement with even larger demonstrations.
They expressed hope that the protest would serve as a wake-up call for the government and ignite real, visible changes on the ground.
“This rally was not merely a protest—it was a resounding call to action,” said Borah.
“The ball is now in the court of the BJP-led Assam government. Will they rise to the challenge and deliver a revitalised National Highway 315?”
The protest concluded peacefully but with a clear and firm message: the citizens of Margherita and Ledo are no longer willing to endure neglect.
The AJYCP, backed by strong local participation, has set the stage for further civic activism if the demand for urgent road repairs goes unheeded.
