Residents say six-month-old pothole near a bridge approach is widening by the day as overloaded trucks continue to ply the route
A large pothole on National Highway 6, located right in front of the Katlicherra Tea Garden Factory, has triggered public concern, with locals fearing a major accident if urgent repairs are not taken up.
According to residents, the road has caved in at the approach section beneath a pucca bridge in the Katlicherra garden area, and a nearby spot has also deteriorated in a similar manner. In the absence of any official response, people have placed makeshift warning markers around the damaged stretch to alert motorists.
The highway is described as a crucial route and one of the key links connecting Hailakandi to Mizoram, carrying thousands of small and heavy vehicles every day, including traffic from the Sribhumi and Cachar districts. Locals allege that despite the steady flow of vehicles, the district administration, the Public Works Department and public representatives have not taken effective steps to address the hazard.
Residents further claim that heavily overloaded dumpers and lorries continue to move over the compromised section, worsening the damage. The pothole, which locals say has been in this condition for around six months, has been growing larger with each passing day. They have appealed to the District Commissioner and the concerned authorities to intervene immediately to prevent accidents on the deteriorating stretch.