Doomdooma: Kakopathar, a growing town in Assam’s Tinsukia district, is facing continuous traffic congestion as movement along National Highway-15 remains heavily affected in daily life.
Located on an important route connecting Assam to Arunachal Pradesh, the town regularly experiences traffic jams that slow movement, create inconvenience, and affect commuters and residents.
“The population has exploded, but the infrastructure has not kept pace,” said a local businessman, reflecting the growing frustration among residents who are witnessing the town buckle under unplanned expansion and rising vehicular pressure.
Many have demanded the immediate establishment of a full-fledged traffic police station with adequate manpower to manage the worsening situation round the clock.
The situation is due to several factors. Every Sunday, the weekly market attracts large crowds, and the lack of proper parking space causes vehicles to move onto the main road, reducing space for traffic flow.
Overloaded trucks, private vehicles, and the absence of a separate autorickshaw stand for Mahadev Pur also add to the congestion, with vehicles often parked along the roadside.
Army convoys and oil tankers passing through the town also lead to traffic delays at times. The absence of a bypass road means all vehicles must use the same narrow stretch, increasing pressure on the road. Limited traffic awareness among drivers also contributes to frequent jams and unsafe road conditions.
Sources indicate that senior officers from Kakopathar Police, along with regular personnel, are often required to manage traffic on the ground, an arrangement residents describe as temporary and not sustainable. Civic bodies and local leaders have urged authorities to take urgent action.
Despite repeated attempts, Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Mayank Kumar Jha could not be reached for comment.
Until measures such as a dedicated traffic police station and improved planning are implemented, Kakopathar residents continue to face difficulties due to heavy traffic on one of the region’s busy highways.