Digboi: Heavy rainfall since Wednesday night has led to waterlogging in several parts of Assam's Digboi, affecting roads, traffic movement and local infrastructure.
One of the most affected areas is the National Highway near No. 1 Golai, where ongoing road widening and drainage work have coincided with water accumulation on the roadway. Although drains have been constructed on both sides, the absence of functional outlets has resulted in water stagnation, disrupting vehicular movement.
Traffic movement has been affected, with vehicles navigating submerged stretches. Residents said they are facing difficulties in daily commuting.
The situation has also impacted infrastructure projects. Frequent changes of contractors have affected the progress of the bypass road project being executed by the NHIDCL, contributing to delays and coordination issues.
Waterlogging has extended to nearby facilities, where several oil tankers were reported stranded at the Golai terminal after significant water accumulation near the entry and exit points of the AOD terminal. Fuel supply was also affected.
At the Saligram Bridhichand oil depot in the Digboi Station area, fuel supply to customers was reportedly disrupted at the time of filing this report.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the township drainage project being implemented by the Public Works Department. Residents stated that in some areas, drains have been constructed without adequate outlets, affecting water flow.
A PWD engineer acknowledged that no provisions for drainage outlets were made during construction and indicated that openings would be created after project completion.
The township drainage project from Charali to Ramnagar via Borbil, covering around 3.5 km, is being executed with an estimated cost of approximately Rs 8 crore under the Chief Minister's Corpus. The project has drawn attention following concerns raised by residents regarding its design and implementation.
Local residents, including members of student organisations, have called for an inquiry into the project, citing concerns over construction quality and public expenditure.
Earlier, residents had staged protests at No. 1 Golai, temporarily blocking the highway and seeking completion of the affected stretch. A meeting between NHIDCL officials, the administration and local representatives was subsequently held, during which assurances were given regarding early completion of the work.
Residents stated that waterlogging has increased following the start of road widening and drainage works.
The situation has also affected daily activities, including school commutes, with children navigating waterlogged roads.
Residents have urged authorities to address drainage issues, complete ongoing projects and take necessary measures to prevent further disruption.