Agitated villagers of Marachhara and Chhota Surma on Tuesday staged a road blockade on the nearly 11-kilometre Kamalpur–Durga Chaumuhoni road via Marachhara under the Surma Assembly Constituency, protesting the deplorable condition of the road.

According to local residents, commuters have been suffering for a long time due to the narrow and damaged road as well as alleged poor-quality renovation work. Villagers alleged that the contractor reduced the width of the road during renovation, turning the stretch into a “death trap” for daily commuters.

School students, patients travelling in ambulances and other commuters are reportedly risking their lives every day while using the road. During the monsoon, even light rainfall makes several portions of the road muddy and dangerous, with large potholes and stagnant rainwater worsening the condition.

Locals alleged that despite repeated complaints to the administration and the concerned Public Works Department, no permanent solution has been taken so far. As a result, residents of the two villages launched the road blockade in the Marachhara area demanding immediate action.

After receiving information about the protest, Durga Chaumuhani Block BDO Narendra Debnath reached the spot at around 1:30 pm and held discussions with the protesters. The blockade was later withdrawn after the BDO assured the villagers that necessary steps would be taken to address the issue.