Assam: Barpeta Villagers Allege Fund Misuse, Demand Permanent Bridge Over Manas River

In Assam’s Barpeta district, residents of Chatala village under the Baghbar constituency have expressed strong anger at MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed for allegedly failing to fulfil his promises and neglecting basic infrastructure needs in the area.

In Hapachara village, a weak bamboo bridge over the Manas River remains the only way for people to cross. Every day, hundreds of pedestrians, motorcycles, and even four-wheelers risk their lives while using the bridge. Locals said they are forced to pay a fee to cross — Rs 10 per person, Rs 20 for a motorcycle, and Rs 100 for a four-wheeler. 

Villagers from Chatala, Moinbari, and Tarakandi raised serious allegations of corruption in an embankment project on the Manas River. “This bridge was supposed to be constructed with a budget of ₹350 crore, but MLA Sherman Ali allocated only ₹1.5 crore worth of work. The rest of the funds were misused, and the MLA and his supporters were involved in corruption.

They also alleged that “the bridge over the Manas River is extremely necessary for the people in the area. It is shameful that even after so much time, the work has not been completed. Instead of building a proper permanent bridge, only a temporary bamboo bridge has been put up and left as it is.”

The villagers have demanded immediate action and proper development in the area. 

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