No end to passemgers' woes

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept 26: Malda district magistrate Mr Chittaranjan Das today apprised the Writers’ Building about the deplorable condition of the National Highway-34 that caused frequent traffic jams of vehicles plying on the route in Malda and Murshidabad. Mr Das had reportedly convened a meeting with officials concerned to review the damage caused to properties following recent heavy rainfall and storm in the region, besides seeking help from the Writers’ Building on the issue. It was learnt that the virtual collapse of the NH-34 at several points between south Bengal and north Bengal, had left thousands of lorries stranded on either side of the Farakka Barrage. The situation aggravated by the collapse of the railway route passing through Rampurhat, which is the only alternative route via Ajimganj. Passengers from south Bengal and north Bengal are now, reportedly, finding it difficult to travel by either buses or trains. The Malda DM said he tried to contact the Murshidabad DM so that the condition of NH-34 could be improved as soon as possible, with help from the national highway authorities of India.But it was learnt that the Murshidabad DM was busy trying to tackle the flood situation in the district.The latter, however, assured the Malda DM that he would expedite the repair of the NH-34 once the water level of the flood in Murshidabad had receded. The Malda DM, Mr Chittaranjan Das, said incessant rain in the past two days had damaged more than 2,500 mud-houses and claimed the lives of five people in the district.