Residents of Dakuapara under the Gobardhan Council area of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) in south Kamrup continue to suffer due to the absence of a permanent bridge over the Kalahi river.

What is the issue?

• The Kalahi river, a small but significant tributary in south Kamrup, serves as a lifeline for villages under RHAC.
• During monsoon, the river swells, cutting off road access and forcing villagers – including schoolchildren, patients and daily wage earners – to risk crossing makeshift bamboo bridges.
• This has led to repeated demands for a permanent all-weather bridge to ensure mobility, emergency transport and economic activity.

Why does this matter?

• The region falls within an autonomous administrative area, making local infrastructure a key element of decentralised development.
• The lack of a bridge affects:
  • Access to healthcare
  • School attendance
  • Market linkages for farmers
  • Disaster response during floods
• It contradicts the State’s broader rural road push under schemes like:
  • Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – for rural all-weather connectivity
  • North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme – for bridging gaps in remote regions
  • Grant-in-aid support for Autonomous Councils in Assam

About the Kalahi River

• A local river system in Kamrup district, part of the larger network feeding into the Brahmaputra basin.
• Known for flash-flooding tendencies during the monsoon, making safe and permanent bridges essential for mobility.
  

Exam Hook: Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements about the Kalahi River issue in Assam:

1. The Kalahi river flows through areas administered by the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council.
2. The absence of a permanent bridge affects access to education, healthcare and markets.
3. The bridge construction falls under the mandate of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b)

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