Bihar: Angry villagers start farming on NH-104 to protest against bad roads

Villagers of Madhubani district of Bihar have adopted a unique way to protest against poor roads in the area and get their voice heard: they have begun farming on National Highway no. 104. This drastic step on the villagers' behalf comes after repeated requests to the administration for the construction of the road - which is in a pathetic condition - fell on deaf ears.

Angry locals of Gangaur village in Harlakhi block of Madhubani district decided that starting farming on the national highway was the only way to protest and get their voices heard by the government.

The 160-km-long NH-104, which starts from Chakia and ends at Narahia via Sitamarhi and Jaynagar in Bihar, is in a poor condition and during the monsoon season, parts of the road witness water logging which has led to several accidents due to unmotorable roads. The condition of the NH-104, which connects Chakia to Narahia, is such that forget driving on this stretch of road, even walking becomes a nightmare.

POTHOLES ADD TO WOES

At several places, there are huge potholes which are 2-3 feet deep and cause severe water logging. National Highway 104 is an important road as it runs almost parallel to the Indo-Nepal border. There is an SSB camp on the border and the daily requirement of the security personnel are transported by this very road. Despite several requests made to the administration, the road continues to remain in a shambles. The agitated locals, tired of the government's lack of response, have now begun farming on the highway and are sowing rice.

"This is the only road for almost 1,000 villages located on NH 104. Several accidents take place every day on this road," said Shiv Chandra Mishra, the local village head.
The villagers have not only requested the local administration for the repair of this road but have also staged dharnas and blockades several times to pressurise both the state as well as the Central governments. But somewhere down the line, their demands go unheard. By farming on the NH-104, these locals want to send a message to the government that since this road has become unusable, they are putting it to better use by farming on it.

"I came to know that villagers have started farming on the highway. I have informed my seniors about this. If the administration gives permission, we can fill the potholes at least and make this road motorable," said S.K Baitha, the Block Development Officer of Harlakhi.

ONLY ASSURANCES NO REPAIRS

Local MLA from RLSP, Sudhanshu Shekhar only has assurances for the aggrieved locals at this point of time maintaining that the road would be repaired but only after six months.
"I have spoken to the engineers and they have assured me that they will make some arrangement so that the road becomes motorable, at least till a proper road is not constructed," said the Harlakhi MLA.

The MLA also admitted that it's the Centre-state blame game and politics that is being played out which is responsible for the lack of development and roads being built in the area.

"There is a lack of coordination in between the Centre and the Bihar government, therefore development work is slow. Had there been a BJP government in Bihar, this road would have been constructed long ago," said legislator Sudhanshu Shekhar.