Fresh concerns have surfaced over the quality of construction work on National Highway 127(B) in Assam’s Dhubri district after a newly built drainage structure collapsed, triggering allegations of substandard execution against contractor J Infratech Pvt. Ltd.
Residents have questioned the standards adopted in the ongoing project, under which the company is constructing the strategic highway stretch connecting Serampore with the approach road to the Dhubri–Phulbari bridge. Locals claimed they had repeatedly expressed concerns regarding the quality of engineering and materials used in the work.
The latest controversy emerged after a recently constructed concrete drain and culvert at Ujanpetla in the Tamarhat area reportedly collapsed when a heavy dumper carrying hot bituminous mix attempted to cross the section while transporting material for a bypass road linking the national highway with Guma Ferry Ghat.
According to residents, the structure failed immediately under the load of the vehicle, leaving the drainage section severely damaged. They alleged that the incident has raised broader concerns over the strength and durability of the multi-crore highway project.
People who inspected the site claimed that inadequate iron reinforcement had been used inside the concrete structure. Allegations were also made regarding the use of inferior-quality cement and insufficient curing practices, which they said may have been adopted to cut construction costs.
Locals further alleged that the collapse at Ujanpetla was not an isolated incident and claimed that similar failures involving roadside drains had occurred at several locations along the highway corridor even under normal conditions.
The damaged sections have reportedly created safety hazards for commuters and pedestrians, with residents claiming that weakened roadside infrastructure has already contributed to a number of minor accidents in the area.
Despite repeated complaints regarding construction quality and safety, community members alleged that no effective remedial measures have been taken. They have now called for an independent structural audit by government engineering authorities and demanded accountability and appropriate action against the contracting agency to prevent further incidents.
No response from J Infratech Pvt. Ltd. was available at the time of filing this report.
