Statesman News Service MALDA, Sept 4: Hundreds of exporters and local residents jointly organised a roadblock on NH-34 at Sustani here demanding immediate repair of the national highway connecting the Indo-Bangladesh border for a hassle-free export. Officials said that due to the roadblock, traffic movement was paralysed between the on the national highway for about two hours today. Members of the Malda Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce (MMCC) said that they had apprised the DM that failure to adhere to their request for road repair would goad them to orgainse a massive movement. They complained that the particular route in question has got severely damaged due to the monsoon rains and was in need of immediate repair. The MMCC members stated that they had also complained to the PWD minister a few days ago, and that the DM told them that the administration was unable to take note of their problem now because of the ensuing Lok Sabha by-poll here. The district magistrate, Mr CR Das, had informed MMCC members that the road would be repaired under the Asian Development Bank project soon, for which concerned departments have already been asked to remove electric poles and trees in order to widen the roads. Mrs Arunima De, SDO (Sadar), said: “The condition of the road connecting Bangaldesh is deplorable. We are taking up this matter, so that the local PWD (roads) repair the road as soon as possible”. “Since the repair of this national highway has been included under a big project (North South Corridor Development project assisted by ADB), the PWD is allegedly not interested in spending money here. But it is important that the road be repaired as soon as possible for the convenience of the people and facilitation of exports to Bangladesh”.
Pic: Anindita Ray
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