Work of NH-17 stretch foreclosed by National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The fate of the 11.63-km stretch from Sagunbashi Forest (near Nichinta) to the starting point of the Krishnai Bypass section (package No. 7) of Bilasipara-Guwahati Road on NH-17 is uncertain following the foreclosure of the package by the NHIDCL (National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.).

The work of the package involves the widening and improvement of a four-lane with paved shoulders.

National Highway projects in Assam generally get delayed due to callousness on the part of the construction companies and delays in the handing over of land by the district administrations.

According to NHIDCL sources, the stretch from Sagunbashi Forest to the starting point of the Krishnai Bypass section of the Bilasipara-Guwahati Road on NH-17 lies in the Goalpara district. The sanctioned cost of this stretch was Rs 286.72 crore. After the bidding, NHIDCL Headquarters, New Delhi, awarded the package to M/s Ram Chandra Paul on March 31, 2021, for Rs 131.86 crore.

After the official formalities, the work of the stretch was to start on July 9, 2021 (the appointment date). As per the DPR (detailed project report) and the alignment of the stretch, the NHIDCL contacted the district administration for the handing over of the land. Despite repeated reminders, the district administration did not hand over the land. It led the NHIDCL to foreclose the work of the stretch.

According to NHIDCL sources, the district administration could not hand over land due to a delay in land acquisition and forest clearance for the national highway stretch. Now the fate of this stretch of NH-17 is uncertain.

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