Reported by Farhana Ahmed
North Lakhimpur: Traffic movement along State Highway 22, which links Ghilamora in Dhakuakhana subdivision of Lakhimpur district with National Highway 15 at Gogamukh, has been repeatedly disrupted after floodwaters from the Champora River submerged a section of the road.
The river overflowed onto an under-construction causeway near the Champora bridge, inundating the highway and forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement on several occasions since June 10.
State Highway 22 serves as a vital transportation corridor spanning nearly 57 kilometres, connecting key areas in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts. The route runs from Gogamukh to Telijan through Ghilamara and Butikur, facilitating the movement of people and goods across the region.
The stretch near the Champora bridge, located under the Ghilamora Revenue Circle, is particularly vulnerable during the monsoon season. Rising water levels in the river frequently spill over the causeway, causing recurring disruptions to traffic. This year, continuous heavy rainfall has once again pushed the river above danger levels, leading to repeated flooding of the road.
To address the recurring problem, improvement work is underway on a 100-metre-long causeway at chainage 19,875 metres on SH-22. The project is being implemented under the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) for 2023-24 at an estimated cost of Rs 1.90 crore in Lakhimpur district.