Isolated Barak, vegetables in the market are skyrocketing

Isolated Barak vegetables in the market are skyrocketing

Isolated Barak vegetables in the market are skyrocketing | Barak Valley News

Barak Valley News : A sudden landslide occurred in the hilly areas of Dimahasao district. The Silchar-Lamding road and railway were closed. And with it, the three districts of South Assam, Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi, practically lost their last hope. The Barak Valley practically became an isolated island. However, the suffering began a few days ago. The 'Harang' bridge across the Bhangar river suddenly collapsed. A few days before that, the Gamon bridge in Badarpur was closed for repairs. All in all, there is hardly any traffic on the Badarpur-Jowai road (NH-6) at present. In the meantime

        The landslide has raised concerns again. National Highway 27 has also been blocked due to this landslide. Rail services have been temporarily suspended. As a result, the Barak Valley has become a geographically isolated territory. With this incident, a mountain of suffering has descended on the public life. Within 24 hours of the landslide, grains were scarce in the market. Talking to traders, it was learned that the vegetable trucks that used to arrive in Silchar every morning from Nongpoh, Umroi, Mawlinnong or Nongstein in Shillong and other districts of Assam, have now completely stopped. There are no vegetables coming from Dhalai, Kailashahar or Damchera in Tripura.

        Meanwhile, Cachar-Sreebhumi or Hailakandi's own cultivation is not able to meet the demand for vegetables. As a result, there is extreme tension in the market. Brinjal, which was 50 taka per kilo in the retail market on Friday, is 90 on Monday. Coriander leaves have touched 20 taka per kilo. Cauliflower is 70, carrots are over 100. The price of everything has increased by leaps and bounds. Not only the market, but also the poor services. As the communication system has completely come to a standstill, many patients are stuck on their way out. Many students are stuck in hostels. All in all, an atmosphere of panic is being created.

        But the recurrence of this problem is not new. In 2012, this railway line was closed for three weeks due to continuous landslides. In 2004, train traffic was also stopped for almost a month. Moreover, the terrible memories of 2022 are still fresh. Even then, landslides whenever the monsoon comes, and Barak is isolated whenever the landslide occurs - this pattern seems to be predetermined now. So where is the alternative? That question is now being raised strongly. The people of Barak have been demanding an alternative railway and road route for many years. At least one such connection that is outside the landslides. Although the proposal to build a new railway line from Chandranathpur, not far from Silchar, to Lanka has been raised many times, it is only a 'file-pressed dream'.

        Environmentalists believe that continuous deforestation, unplanned hill cutting, and temporary repairs in the dense forests and environmentally sensitive areas of Dimahasao are the main causes of the landslides. The land is collapsing under the railway line, the sleepers are not sitting properly, and the mountains are pressing on the railway.

        The administration says that once the rains subside, they will try to reopen the railway after examining the situation. But no one has a clear idea of ​​what the situation will be by then. In the words of an elderly resident, such a big valley; but only one railway! The road is in the same condition! That too in an area where landslides occur every monsoon. Are we really part of India? Or does India sometimes think we are? Many such questions are now swirling in the air of Barak and the smell of burnt markets.