Silchar: Residents and traders blocked Central Road in Silchar on Thursday over its poor condition.They later called off the protest after officials assured them that repairs would begin within three days.Protesters said the key commercial stretch remained damaged for nearly 18 months, inconveniencing residents, pedestrians, commuters and traders. Traffic was disrupted for several hours.Activist Mithun Nath said repeated demands for repairs went unheeded. Concrete blocks earlier laid on damaged sections after public protests were removed within a month, he alleged.“When we asked why the blocks were removed, we were told the road would be repaired with bitumen. Nearly a month has passed, but work has not started,” Nath alleged.Protesters said the road becomes muddy during rain, making it difficult for vehicles, particularly auto-rickshaws, to cross the damaged stretches. Nath claimed some autos overturned while negotiating the road.During dry weather, dust from the road affects shops and commuters. Traders said merchandise displayed in shops gets coated with dust, affecting business, while prolonged exposure to dusty conditions was affecting residents’ health.Nath questioned the delay in repairing the important road despite repeated representations from residents and traders.“We only want our road be fixed,” a woman protester said.Officials later reached the spot and held talks with the protesters. The blockade was withdrawn after they assured the agitators that repairs would begin within three days.
