STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is not satisfied with the pace of the four-lane works in the Jorhat-Janji-Demow stretch of the NH-37. He took up the matter with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Chief Minister Sarma said, "The condition of this stretch of NH-37 is pathetic. I have taken up the matter with Gadkari. He took the matter seriously and assured me that he would take appropriate measures. We even told the NHIDCL (National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd) to hand over the road to us if they could not do the job. NHIDCL has already terminated the work contract with GDCL (Gannon Dunkerley and Company Ltd) for the slow pace of work."
The Chief Minister said, "A section of construction companies engaged in the expansion of NH-37 gave an impression to the Union Ministry that their works get delayed as the State Government cannot make land available to them in time. It is not true. I have made it clear before Gadkari with all documents. I hope the works will progress well after the monsoon with interference from Gadkari."
The NHIDCL awarded the work of the Janji-Demow stretch to GDCL on November 9, 2017, with the target schedule of January 2021. The physical progress of the work at the stretch was 42.79 per cent recently. The project cost was Rs 398.06 crore. Now the NHIDCL will float a tender to award the project afresh.
According to sources, from Nagaon to Dibrugarh also, the expansion work of NH-37 is not satisfactory at many stretches. The companies do not repair the service roads, leading to inhumane problems for commuters. The situation has gone from bad to worse now due to rains."
Also Read: Contractors' negligence behind delay of works in Nagaon-Dibrugarh four-lane road: Gadkari
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