Allegations of harassment have surfaced against National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for non-payment of dues to private parties who have carried out work for the road construction body. It’s been around five years that a contractor after providing services to the NHAI is running from pillar to post for the money he deserves.
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Munindra Deka, a transporter had provided services to NHAI and through an email informed GPlus that he has written to NHAI, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union minister Nitin Gadkari, but still has not received any help.
Deka through his email said, “The outstanding amount, which stood at ₹32,21,000 approximately 3-4 months ago, has now increased to over ₹40,00,000 due to accrued expenses and losses. This significant escalation has further exacerbated our financial hardship.”
Deka said that the non-payment of rents has resulted in overdue Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs), causing immense financial strain on his family. He said they are struggling to make ends meet, and the lack of response from the authorities has only worsened their situation.
In a letter to the chief minister, a copy of which GPlus received through email, Deka wrote, “I am writing to bring to your notice the outstanding payment for the vehicles hired by the Office of the Superintendent of Police, Dima Hasao District, Haflong, under arrangement from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). As mentioned in my email dated 17th November 2024, the outstanding amount of ₹32,21,000 has been pending for a considerable period, causing significant financial hardship to me and my family.”
Similarly, he has written to the Rajya Sabha MP Bhubaneswar Kalita who has asked the regional officer of NHAI to expedite the payment process. Deka has also written to the Union minister Nitin Gadkari, but did not receive any help.
A senior official of NHAI talking to GPlus said that the NHAI will not make the payment. The official said, “In a meeting held between NHAI and the state government it was decided that the bill for the hired vehicles will be paid by the state government,” adding that from 2008 to 2022, in order to maintain prevailing law and order situation at various project sites, state government had provided security in Dima Hasao district for which NHAI had reimbursed cost towards hiring of patrolling vehicles and fuel charges. The official said that as the situation improved, continuous and exclusive patrolling of security vehicles in project site of Narimbanglo- Jatinga- Harangajao Project is no more required. He said accordingly the state government was asked that SP, Dima Hasao may be directed not to insist NHAI to bear the cost associated with security vehicles and at the same time facilitate support as and when necessary in the interest of expeditious completion of the vital project. The official said that Assam chief minister assured to resolve all the issues and agreed the state government will make the payment. He said the transporter can approach the state government for the payment.
There are many other such cases and the transporters are running from pillar to post for their money.
