A delegation from Tezpur University (TU) on December 11, 2024, submitted a memorandum to Shri Ankur Bharali, the District Commissioner (DC) of Sonitpur, expressing concern regarding the widening of a road adjacent to the University boundary wall affecting the University campus.
The delegation comprising Prof Kusum K Bania, President, Tezpur University Teachers’ Association (TUTA), Dr Pallavi Jha, Vice President, TUTA, Shri Jadav C Nath, President, Tezpur University Non-Teaching Employees’ Association (TUNTEA), Dr Ratan Boruah, Secretary, TUNTEA, and Shri Pragyandeep Borah, General Secretary, Tezpur University Students Council, met the DC and apprised him about the situation.
The memorandum highlights concerns regarding the widening of the PWD road in front of Tezpur University, connecting Poruwa Chariali to National Highway 15, with possible impact on the boundary wall. The University delegation emphasized that the alignment of the widened road, as depicted in the Detailed Project Report, poses a serious threat to the University. The delegation pointed out the unjustified extension of the road towards the University boundary, which could jeopardize the safety and infrastructure of the institution.
“We have already informed our concern by bringing this to the notice of hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam vide letter D.O. TU/VC(I)/2024 dated 27.09.2024,” Prof Shambhu Nath Singh, Vice Chancellor of the University, informed.
The matter was also brought to the notice of Additional Chief Engineer, PWD (Roads), Tezpur Zone, Assam, vide letter No.F.13-101/04 (EC)/4060 dated 27.11.2024, citing the possible risks such as a threat against the safer mobility of the University community as the space between the gate and new roads is intended to be reduced to an alarming extent. Further, the memorandum also points out that the proposed road will create disturbance for the sensitive laboratory equipment, including the animal house, which are housed near the boundary wall. Besides, it may cause structural risk for the boundary wall.
The University community alleges that due to vested interests, the road expansion is not happening towards the other side, where sufficient land is available. The TU community feels if the road widening is done towards the University side, the historic Main Gate of TU, designed based on the sketch of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, will have to be closed down permanently.
There is a lot of anguish among the University community regarding the unscientific widening of the road. This may boil over into agitation if timely action is not taken in the right spirit.
