Hill district set to witness sea change in road connectivity with 130-km stretch in NH 54 (Extension) nearing completion
OUR BUREAU
GUWAHATI/HAFLONG, Nov 26: At last, there is something to cheer for the people of Dima Hasao in terms of infrastructure development of the backward district. The much-awaited four-laning of 130 km stretch of tiol Highway 54 (Extension) is fast nearing completion.
Sources told The Sentinel that tiol Highway Authority of India (NHAI) entrusted to implement the 4-laning project has so far completed construction of 100 km stretch after overcoming several hurdles.
“Despite facing serious problems of landslide, hill movement, slip failure and sinking problems, NHAI officials and experts did not give up and continued the work of four-laning with determition and enthusiasm. The 1 km gabasti tunnel, top down structure at Jatinga junction and four-laning of tiol highway with all road safety measures will bring about a sea change in connectivity of Dima Hasao,” a source said.
Sources said the stretch for rimbanglo to Harangajao has been badly damaged in many locations and there is need for maintence of the stretch, in particular the 25 km between Jatinga and Harangajao, for better connectivity to Silchar.
There have been damages due to landslide, hill movement etc., in some completed stretches where NHAI is taking preventive steps in consultation with experts. The contract package from Jatinga to Harangajao has been termited. Top officials of NHAI HQ & Guwahati are working for full proof technology in consultation with specialist groups for sustaible roads in the Jatinga–Harangajao section.
Senior officials along with field officers have been putting in efforts for proper maintence of the stretch immediately during the present working season. Though regular maintence was carried out by NHAI during rainy season, it is now planning for permanent maintence in the Jatinga–Harangajao stretch.
On the other hand, in response to the appeal by NC Hills Indigenous Students’ Forum (NCHISF), Raj Chakrabarty, Chief General Mager of NHAI, North East Region Guwahati, visited Dima Hasao for inspection of Jatinga-Harangajao portion of NH-54 (E) on Saturday.
Chakrabarty, accompanied by senior NHAI officials, held a meeting at Jatinga point wherein the NC Hills Indigenous Students’ Forum also raised various issues of the district in regard to NH-54 E, like dumping compensation, land and dwelling houses affected compensation, approach roads, Mahur town road and bridge and beautification of Jatinga top down bridge.
Chakrabarty, along with NCHISF president David Keivom, inspected the most critical portion between Jatinga and Harangajao and instructed NHAI officials to take immediate steps for maintence of the road, at least up to Harangajao.
After the inspection, the CGM gave assurance that maintence works of Jatinga-Harangajao road will be started from November 27, which would bring much relief to the people of Dima Hasao as well as of Barak Valley, because this road is considered the lifeline of entire southern Assam.