GUWAHATI: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, is set to visit Assam on October 21, to review the progress of ongoing road and bridge construction projects across the state. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reportedly informed the press on Monday, October 7, about the Union Minister’s upcoming visit.
ALSO READ: Nagaon Man Arrested In Human Trafficking Scandal; Victims Tricked With Job Offers
Sarma, while announcing the visit, highlighted that the review would focus on key projects like the Jorhat-Jhanji stretch of the national highway, which has seen little progress, and the long-pending Jorhat-Majuli bridge.
"Minister Gadkari has already informed me about the re-tendering process for the Jorhat-Majuli bridge, which is aimed at completing the project on time," the chief minister reportedly said, while emphasising the need for urgent maintenance of national highways across the state at the same time.
The 37-kilometre Jorhat-Jhanji section of the National Highway has been particularly problematic. Initiated in 2015, the project was supposed to be completed by 2020, but only 45% of the work has been completed so far. To date, four to five construction firms have had their contracts cancelled due to their inability to meet deadlines.
Currently, the project is being handled by three construction firms, but their progress remains slow, with only an average of 17% completed.
The delays have caused significant inconvenience for motorists, especially during heavy rains when the stretch becomes waterlogged. In dry conditions, the road is often covered in dust, making vehicular movement challenging.
Gadkari’s upcoming visit follows his assurance during a meeting with Sarma two months ago, where he pledged to personally oversee the progress of the state's key infrastructure projects.
Earlier, in July, Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi also met Gadkari in New Delhi and urged him to expedite the four-lane national highway project from Jakhalabandha to Dibrugarh, with a particular focus on the Jorhat-Jhanji stretch.
