Though several Governments, political leaders including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had stated that the section of the Highway will be completed, but the ground reality speaks differently
Biswadeep Gupta
In what could be termed as a gross case of negligence, the long absence of the NHAI Project Director at Haflong is delaying the completion of Jatinga – Harangajao portion of the National Highway, which is being neglected now for several years
The people of the region allege that the Lackadaisical attitude of NHAI and the long absence of the NHAI Project Director at Haflong, is making life worse if one takes a look at the condition of the National Highway which is a lifeline for many districts of South Assam as well as Dima Hasao.
The Regional Office of NHAI at Guwahati has instructed the Project Director Karge Kamki to stay at Haflong in order to monitor the work, but to the surprise of the senior officials of NHAI Kamaki remained absent at Haflong office.
When a group of journalists made several attempts to communicate with him regarding the status of National Highway the said Project Director, Kamki was never to be found in Haflong and the staff of NHAI at Haflong also were not cooperative. To the surprise of the journalist the staffs were found loitering in the office in an informal manner without maintaining office decorum nor they were willing to say anything. The files were scattered on the floors and it can be construed that in the absence of a top officer who is supposed to be leading the department and maintain an important section of the Highway that connects three states.
Though several Governments, political leaders including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had stated that the section of the Highway will be completed, but the ground reality speaks differently. In such a scenario, various organisations of Dima Hasao along with people have been demanding early completion of the National Highway. The Jatinga to Harangajao portion remained dilapidated for a long and is causing transporters to charge more to transport essential commodities thereby increasing cost.
Following the submission of memoranda by frontal students’ organisations, the NHAI authority however has approved an 1823 crore Rupees project for Nriambanglo to Harangajao.
The contractor who was assigned maintenance work from Jatinga to Harangajao portion one Ratna company but it is found that one Laxmi company is executing the works. However, the quality of maintenance work is found to be very poor and substandard.
Now eyebrows are raising as people allege that the work at the ground is not taking place at the pace it should be and thereby there will be cost escalation with further delays.
