Assam's Jhanji-Demow Highway Section Remains Stalled at 65% Completion
Nearly ten years after its foundation stone was laid, the troubled 44-kilometer Jhanji-Demow four-lane highway section continues to lag far behind schedule. This persistent delay prompted Sivasagar district commissioner Mridul Yadav to conduct a fresh inspection on Monday. He directed officials to expedite the long-delayed project immediately.
A Critical Link Stuck in Slow Motion
The Jhanji-Demow stretch forms a crucial link in the Numaligarh-Dibrugarh connecting route. It is also part of the broader Guwahati-Dibrugarh corridor. Despite its importance, the section has achieved only 64.66 percent physical completion. This makes it the most delayed segment of the entire highway project.
Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone for this project on February 27, 2016. The protracted delays on this section stand in stark contrast to other segments of the route. Those other parts have achieved near-complete or full execution.
Other Sections Show Much Better Progress
According to the latest figures from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), other sections are faring much better.
- The 39.7-kilometer Numaligarh to Jorhat section has reached 100 percent completion.
- The 37.8-kilometer Jorhat to Jhanji stretch stands at 97 percent physical completion.
- The 26.9-kilometer Demow to Moran Bypass section, which includes an Emergency Landing Facility (ELF), has attained 100 percent completion.
- The 19.1-kilometer Moran Bypass to Bogibeel Junction stretch in Dibrugarh district is also fully complete.
The Jhanji-Demow segment, which passes through Jorhat and Sivasagar districts, remains the conspicuous exception. It is the only major part of the corridor still struggling.
District Commissioner Issues Directives
During Monday's inspection, District Commissioner Mridul Yadav directed NHIDCL officials and contractors to accelerate work without further delay. NHIDCL officials assured the district commissioner that the entire Jhanji-Demow stretch would be fully completed by March 31, 2026. They emphasised that construction was now proceeding at full speed.
"The completion of this stretch is a priority for ensuring regional connectivity," DC Mridul Yadav said. "We have reviewed the progress and we will work closely with NHIDCL to monitor the timeline for the March 2026 deadline."
A History of Administrative Complications
The section's troubled history stems from significant administrative complications. NHIDCL terminated earlier contractors citing unsatisfactory progress and slow execution. Following a retendering process, the remaining work was divided and allocated among four separate contractors across four distinct packages.
This restructuring aimed at improving coordination and accelerating completion. The current status of work among the four contractors varies widely.
- Bharadwaj Unibuild Pvt Ltd is constructing the toll plaza and associated structures under a project valued at Rs 100.22 crore. They have achieved 49 percent physical completion.
- Bharat Vanijya Eastern Pvt Ltd (BVEPL) is executing a 13-kilometer stretch worth Rs 542.87 crore. This portion has reached 53 percent completion.
- Contractor Kaushal Sharma holds responsibility for a 20-kilometer section with a project cost of Rs 619.70 crore. This part has attained 60 percent completion.
- Among the four contractors, Regal Enterprise has demonstrated the strongest progress. Its 11-kilometer stretch, with a project cost of Rs 476.50 crore, has reached 81 percent physical completion. This is the highest advancement within the entire Jhanji-Demow segment.
Importance for Upper Assam's Connectivity
The Jhanji-Demow highway represents a critical component of upper Assam's transportation infrastructure. It is designed to connect major industrial and commercial hubs across the region. Its completion promises to significantly reduce travel time between Numaligarh and Dibrugarh.
The new highway will also enhance road safety along the heavily congested NH-37 corridor. This route currently experiences substantial traffic volume and frequent bottlenecks.
Mounting Frustration Among Local Stakeholders
The project's prolonged timeline, approaching ten years since its 2016 foundation, has caused growing frustration among residents and businesses. These groups depend heavily on improved connectivity for their daily operations and economic activities.
Local stakeholders have repeatedly raised concerns about construction delays affecting commerce, emergency services, and daily commutes. The slow progress has become a significant point of contention in the region.
The Pressure is Now On for 2026
With the March 2026 deadline now formally communicated to the district administration, pressure mounts on NHIDCL and its contracted firms. They must deliver on their completion promises to avoid further extensions.
The successful finishing of this final segment will mark the realisation of a decade-long infrastructure vision for upper Assam's connectivity. All eyes are now on the contractors and officials to see if they can meet this critical deadline after years of delays.
