ARIYANV-BAGENGOLA ROAD IN DILAPIDATED CONDITION

ARIYANV-BAGENGOLA ROAD IN DILAPIDATED CONDITION

15-MARCH-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR-------------------------The condition of the Ariyanv-Bagengola road in the Dumraon block has deteriorated significantly in recent times. Despite more than seven months having passed, the road construction work has not yet commenced, causing mounting difficulties for the local residents. Near Ariyanv village, the road has turned into a series of deep potholes, where household wastewater accumulates, creating a scene resembling a small lake. Consequently, commuters are facing severe hardships while traveling along this route.

According to the villagers, the deep potholes riddling the road frequently cause e-rickshaw drivers and motorcyclists to fall and sustain injuries. In several sections, the road has completely caved in. The situation is particularly dire near Ariyanv village, where knee-deep water remains stagnant in the potholes. Villagers have urged the concerned department to at least make the road motorable so that residents can find some relief.

The Ariyanv-Bagengola road connects to Bhojpur district near Jagdishpur, passing through Bhadwar and Baradhi. Furthermore, it serves as the primary route for villagers from Bhadwar, Baradhi, Bagen, and other areas within the Chaugain block to reach the sub-divisional headquarters. Due to the dilapidated state of the road, thousands of people are forced to endure daily hardships.

According to the Rural Works Department, the construction of this approximately 10-kilometer-long road is slated to be undertaken at a cost of ₹648.207 lakh. The tender process for the construction work has already been completed, and the funds have been allocated. The work was scheduled to commence on May 5, 2025, with a deadline for completion set for May 4, 2026. However, despite the passage of ten months, the construction work has yet to begin. Now, only a month and a half remains until the scheduled completion date.

The villagers allege that the condition of the road is worsening due to the negligence of departmental engineers and the arbitrary conduct of the contractor. Locals allege that officials from the Rural Works Department have maintained a silence regarding this matter, while the contractor has also failed to arrive to commence the work thus far.

Angered by the failure to initiate road construction work, villagers staged a protest in Ariyanv village on Saturday. Led by Santosh Mukhiya, the convener of the Samajwadi Vichar Manch (Bihar), the villagers registered their protest by scattering fish seeds on the main road.

Demanding legal action against the contractor, the protesting villagers warned that if the issue of waterlogging is not resolved within 15 days, they would resume their sit-in protests.

Several villagers participated in the protest, including Harendra Singh, BDC member Mannalal Singh, Kamlesh Singh, Satish Maurya, Vishwamitra Singh, Ramesh Yadav, Munna Yadav, Sonu, Vikas, Khelan Singh, Chandan Singh, Sumit, Santosh, Ankit, Paltu Singh, and Omprakash Kushwaha.