GUWAHATI: Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has cited multiple factors, including a shortage of raw materials, for the delays in the four-laning of the Jorhat-Dibrugarh section of the National Highway in Assam. In a letter to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Gadkari confirmed that "strict directions" have been issued to the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to address these issues and expedite the project.
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Gadkari attributed the delays to initial land acquisition hurdles, a significant shortage of materials such as silt and sand—exacerbated by restricted access to river sources for half the year—and poor performance by certain contractors. The project has been divided into smaller segments, ranging from 10 to 20 kilometres, and assigned to 11 contractors to streamline progress .
The minister detailed the extensive requirements for the project, including nine vehicular underpasses, six pedestrian underpasses, and a flyover. “Approximately 12 lakh cubic metres of earth, 11 lakh cubic metres of sand, and 5 lakh metric tonnes of boulders are required, which remains a significant challenge,” he noted.
While physical progress in most sections between Jorhat and Dibrugarh is between 0 to 20%, the stretch between Demow and the end of the Moran bypass—including an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF)—has seen approximately 40% completion.
Gadkari emphasised the NHIDCL's responsibility to proactively address the challenges, ensuring comprehensive maintenance and restoration of Assam's national highways to make them traffic-ready.
