A stretch of NH-52. Telegraph picture

It is a traveller’s delight — the 72km smooth ride from Silapathar to Jonai through mountains and serene flood plains on National Highway 52 — a much-needed relief after the back-breaking journey from Chamarajan to Dhemaji, the district headquarters.

Despite the contrasting state of highway, the two constituencies of Dhemaji and Jonai are strung together by their struggle to cope with flood and erosion, lack of basic infrastructure, corruption, the vanishing Poba forest and the growing aspirations of residents for a better life.

The cost of essential commodities, too, is 15-20 per cent more than in other areas because trucks charge more for the poor condition of the road in the Chamarajan and Moridhol areas, compelling businessman Bhaskarjyoti Bora to ask: “If people don’t feel like visiting Dhemaji or if we can’t go out as and when required, how will the district develop?”

“It has been this way since I was a kid,” added 88-year-old Congressman Puneswar Pegu.

The problem has spanned generations. For both Bora and Pegu commuting problems top their list of woes which impact the development of a district that depends on agriculture and its allied sectors.

The smooth stretch in Jonai stretch, too, would not have materialised had it not been for the army base coming up on a 600-hectare plot at Rajakhana, 4km off Jonai — the tourism potential of which remains untapped.

The withdrawal of train services between Rangia and Murkongselek last year because of law and order problems has made matters worse.

For a roundtrip from Jonai to Guwahati, 500-odd km apart, it used to cost Rs 240 by train.

A bus trip costs Rs 980 — an expensive affair even during emergencies.

“Things are looking up in Jonai compared to flood-prone Dhemaji but only after the completion of this stretch of the highway. For things to change in real terms, the entry to Dhemaji at Chamarajan needs to be as smooth,” Bhupen Pegu, a Jonai resident, said.

The newly appointed deputy commissioner, M.S. Manivannan, admitted to the commuting woes of the residents. “We have taken up the matter with the BRO and NF Railway. Because of flood and unseasonal rains things have got stuck a bit. A lot of development is required in the district. Efforts are on to expedite construction of roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana,” he said.

The April 4 elections will be fought in the twin constituencies in this backdrop. The anti-dam campaign has emerged as a factor because the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project at Gerukamukh that falls in the district.

Sitting Ganashakti MLA Bhubon Pegu is up against the Congress’s Pradan Baruah in the 2,32,410-voter Mising-dominated Jonai. Since the AGP is supporting Pegu, he enjoys an edge over Baruah, a two-time MLA, who is no pushover.

The others in the fray include BJP’s Ashwini Pait and Trinamul Congress’s M.K. Kuli.

Neighbouring Dhemaji, which has 1,86,182 voters, will have Congress MLA Sumitra Patir face a stiff challenge from AGP’s Parmananda Sonowal, who enjoys the support of Ganashakti.

Then there are BJP’s Sailen Sonowal, Trinamul’s Khargorash Pegu and Independent Hemkanta Pegu.

Says Domboru Gogoi, who lost his only son Monjit in Ulfa-triggered Dhemaji blast of August 15, 2004: “I will vote but would like our future MLA to speak for Dhemaji in the Assembly,” he said.