Overloaded dumpers damage Kadamtala–Dharmanagar road, locals block traffic in protest
Movement of overloaded stone-laden dumpers has severely damaged the Kadamtala–Dharmanagar main road, triggering a two-hour blockade by affected locals and transport workers on Saturday.
The protest began around 4 pm when members of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and e-rickshaw drivers blocked the road, stopping only dumpers from passing. The protesters alleged that continuous movement of overloaded trucks, including 14- and 16-wheelers carrying stone and coal, on a road meant for light vehicles had led to extensive damage within a short period.
They said the condition of the road had worsened daily life in the area, particularly during the dry season, when excessive dust had affected normal movement. Pedestrians, two-wheeler riders and small vehicles were facing serious difficulties due to broken stretches of the road and poor visibility caused by dust, the protesters claimed.
The demonstrators said heavy vehicles should not be allowed to ply on the Kadamtala–Dharmanagar road and should instead use the designated national highway. They maintained that continued use of the road by overloaded dumpers would further damage the surface and increase the risk of accidents.
Due to the blockade, long queues of dumpers formed on both sides of the road, disrupting traffic for nearly two hours. Police from Kadamtala police station rushed to the spot and attempted to persuade the protesters to lift the blockade, but the agitators remained firm, officials said.
The blockade was finally lifted after two officials from Dharmanagar, DCM Giniyas Debbarma and David Holam, reached the site and assured the protesters that their demands would be looked into. Following the assurance, traffic movement was restored, police said.
Officials said the situation was brought under control and traffic returned to normal after the intervention. They added that the matter would be reported to the concerned authorities for necessary action regarding movement of heavy vehicles on the road.
