Road to Hell: Dilapidated Condition of AMPT Road in Meghalaya Giving Harrowing Time to Commuters
First Published: 9th July, 2025 14:37 IST
The section in question is between the villages of Rajabala and Phulbari – a 22 km stretch
Commuters travelling on the Agia – Medhipara – Phulbari – Tura (AMPT) road are having a harrowing time, owing to its dilapidated condition. The road has once again come into focus following complaints by residents of the road being so dilapidated that it was akin to a journey to hell.
The Agia-Medhipara-Phulbari-Tura (AMPT) road is a crucial 140km stretch connecting various locations in Meghalaya and Assam, including Tura, Phulbari, and Agia. Despite its importance, the road has been notoriously neglected and is often cited as one of the worst in the region.
The section in question is between the villages of Rajabala and Phulbari – a 22 km stretch which was last repaired on a serious note more than 3 years ago and began to deteriorate just about 6 months after being repaired. Recounting the travelling experience, a resident afternoon of New Bhaitbari, which also falls along the same route told Northeast Live, “It takes more than 1.5 hours to commute between Rajabala to Phulbari. In fact in no section of the road can your car move on 3rd gear as there is hardly any road left. It is difficult to even walk on the road, forget driving.” Some commuters also stated that since past two years, they have not had peace in commuting due to the condition of the road.
A commuter said, “The moment you get on the road, your back and thigh muscles start hurting. The situation is so bad that when women go for delivery, they deliver their baby on the road itself just because of the impossible number of jerks that the road provides.”
Irate commuters have alleged that repairs that are being undertaken are there in name only – with repairs being done with mud and large stones.
“Currently cosmetic repairs are being done but this is not the right way to do so. When it rains these repairs become slushy as it has only mud and a few stones. During normal weather, it becomes dusty. We have reported this to the department several times but they continue to ignore the problems we are faced with,” said another commuter.
Significantly, the road falls under PWD’s NEC section and is due to be upgraded to a National Highway (217) that will connect all major highways in the Garo Hills region.
A group of residents stated, “What can we say? The government does not listen to us and does not care. Earlier they had repaired the road with cement blocks that made the situation worse. This is corruption and the government does not act, possibly because they too are in it as well. I have just come back from Ampati. There I saw the 10 years old road that is still intact and then we see this road. Why are we the ones to suffer? This is definitely due to the corruption of the government.”
Also read: 15-Year-Old Girl Sexually Assaulted by Stepfather in Meghalaya, Six Months Pregnant
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