Guwahati: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi has written to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, raising concerns over significant delays, poor quality, and alleged irregularities in the ongoing Jorhat–Dibrugarh National Highway (NH-37) project.
In his letter dated Monday, Gogoi pointed out incomplete stretches across Dikhow, Gaurisagar, Sivasagar, Moran, and Dibrugarh, noting that these areas remain unfinished despite repeated assurances from the Centre that the project would be completed by December 31, 2025.
“Large portions of the highway remain incomplete and poorly maintained, causing severe hardship to daily commuters, transporters, and local residents. Several stretches have deteriorated into dangerous conditions, undermining public safety and regional connectivity in upper Assam,” the letter stated.
Gogoi also highlighted the recent arrest of Riten Kumar Singh, Executive Director and Regional Officer of NHIDCL, Guwahati, by the CBI for allegedly accepting a Rs 10 lakh bribe from a contractor for favorable project extensions and completion certificates, including the four-laning of NH-37 from Demow to Moran Bypass. The CBI reportedly recovered Rs 2.62 crore in cash and other unaccounted assets across multiple cities.
The APCC chief urged the Ministry to undertake a comprehensive review of the highway project, with strict monitoring to ensure transparency, accountability, and timely completion, emphasizing the need to restore public confidence in NH-37’s development.
