West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has warned the Centre of a possible law and order problem in north Bengal due to the terrible condition of a major highway which links the northeast with the rest of the country.
The letter dated September 27, and written to Kamal Nath, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways was released to the press by the Chief Minister's Office on Tuesday.
In his letter Mr. Bhattacharjee said: “The situation is so bad that public frustration may lead to serious law and order problem any time.” He urged the Minister to look into the matter personally and issue appropriate directions for taking up repair works.
Drawing the Union Minister's attention to the terrible state of National Highway 31D, in a crucial stretch, he said all these highways are the lifeline connecting the northeast and Bhutan with the rest of India.
The connectivity of Coochbehar and Jalpaiguri districts of north Bengal with the rest of the State is also dependent on these highways.
The letter said that a few years ago the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) was given the responsibility of converting them into four-lane roads.
“Unfortunately the NHAI has failed miserably to maintain them,” Mr. Bhattacharjee said.
