Members of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) launched an indefinite blockade of Oil India Limited (OIL) vehicles at Bordubi in Tinsukia district on Saturday, protesting the severely deteriorated condition of the Tinsukia-Duliajan road and the Bahadur Chariali-Bahadur Tea Estate road.
The agitation at Bahadur Chariali left scores of OIL tankers and other company vehicles stranded, bringing the oil major’s operations in the region to a standstill.
AJYCP alleged that hundreds of heavy OIL vehicles, including tankers, traverse these roads daily, causing extensive wear and tear that has left the routes pockmarked with potholes and craters. “The constant movement of heavy OIL vehicles has completely destroyed these roads. What were once motorable roads have now become death traps for commuters,” activists stated.
Local residents, particularly students, patients, businessmen, and daily commuters, have been severely affected by the poor road conditions. The deteriorating infrastructure has made travel hazardous and posed serious risks during medical emergencies.
AJYCP Tinsukia district vice president Kanchan Borah firmly declared the organisation’s stance: “The OIL vehicles will not be allowed to ply until they give written commitment of repairing the roads.”
The youth organisation expressed frustration over OIL’s repeated failure to address their concerns. “Despite submitting several memorandums to OIL, they have not taken any steps to repair the roads. Instead, they put the onus on PWD to repair the roads,” AJYCP members alleged, accusing the company of avoiding responsibility.
Protesters argued that since OIL’s heavy vehicles are primarily responsible for road damage, the company should immediately take charge of repairs rather than deflecting responsibility to the Public Works Department. They contended that the profitable oil giant should contribute to maintaining infrastructure affected by its operations.
OIL has not issued any official statement regarding the blockade or responded to the allegations. The company’s field headquarters is located in Duliajan, making these roads vital for its daily operations. The indefinite blockade has effectively paralysed OIL’s vehicle movement in the district.
