Four-Laning of NH: Minister Blames NHIDCL Over Slow Pace of Work

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The slow pace of work on four-laning of National Highway from Nagaon to Dibrugarh by the NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation) has come in for mention in the House on Tuesday. Replying to a question raised by AGP MLA Pradip Hazarika and with reference to another query raised by Congress MLA Ajanta Neog, PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the State government has already moved the NHIDCL to ensure that National Highway-37 remains motorable.

Referring to the slow pace of work by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation, Minister Sarma stated that 29 per cent of the NH stretch between Numaligarh and Jorhat (except the Dergaon section) has been completed; 3.56 per cent of the of the Jorhat-Jhanji stretch and 3.73 per cent of the Jhanji-Demow stretch have been done.

The NHIDCL is a fully owned company of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India.

Sarma further informed the House that “the State government is creating pressure on the NHIDCL to expedite the work”. He also said that “the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation authorities have informed the government that the entire work would be completed by March 2021.”

Sarma also pointed out that owing to slow work, the contract for the 18.400 km stretch from the end of Nagaon bypass to Rangagara has been terminated by NHIDCL.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress of four-laning works of the National Highways in the district. He urged the General Manager of NHIDCL to take necessary measures to expedite the construction works and initiate action against all non-performing contractors at the earliest. He also asked the General Manager to take necessary steps for carrying out maintenance works on the roads till the four-laning work is over.

Moreover, the Chief Minister also instructed the Executive Engineer, PWD (NH), Nagaon Division, to expedite the construction works on the NH from Tezpur to Kaliabor and take up necessary repairing on the stretch from Mission Chariali to Jamuguri.

Also Read: Take Action Against Non-Performing Contractors: CM Sarbananda Sonowal to NHIDCL