Nitin Gadkari Promises Swift Repairs for Jorhat-Dibrugarh National Highway

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has pledged to restore the Jorhat-Dibrugarh stretch of National Highway 37 within six months. This commitment follows concerns raised by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi regarding the poor road conditions in Assam, especially in comparison to better highways in other states. Gadkari assured that the NHIDCL is actively working on the repairs and that an inquiry into the contractor's performance has been initiated. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the impact of recent weather on construction progress. The local community is hopeful for improvements as the weather stabilizes.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 4, 2025, 16:46 IST

Union Minister's Commitment to Road Restoration

Guwahati, Dec 4: During the Winter Session of the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, assured that the Jorhat–Dibrugarh segment of National Highway 37 will be restored to a satisfactory condition within the next six months.

This assurance was made in response to a query from Gaurav Gogoi, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP, who urged the government to accelerate the repair efforts.

Gadkari stated, “The NHIDCL is currently addressing the situation. The road conditions deteriorated following the monsoon. We will ensure the road is in good shape within six months.”

Gogoi pointed out a recent viral video showing Gadkari driving at high speeds on a well-maintained highway in Gujarat, contrasting it with the poor road conditions in Assam.

“Watching that video made us a bit envious because, despite paying tolls in Assam, we cannot drive at speeds of 100 or 140 km/h due to the bad roads. The residents of Assam are paying tolls but are not receiving quality highways,” he remarked in Hindi.

In response to the concerns raised, Gadkari informed the House that multiple complaints had led to an inquiry, and an investigation against the contractor responsible has been initiated.

Gogoi further stressed the urgency of the matter, stating, “While the Jaji section is acceptable, the stretch from Jorhat to Dibrugarh, particularly after Jaji, Demow, and Moran, is in dire condition. I urge the NHIDCL to expedite the repairs immediately.”

Earlier, on October 21, following a meeting with Gadkari, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that work on the vital four-lane Jorhat–Dibrugarh project would be accelerated.

Sarma mentioned, “We had an in-depth discussion with Nitin Gadkari regarding the National Highway from Jorhat to Dibrugarh. The NHIDCL will oversee the project, with both contractors and officials actively involved in the discussions.”

He also noted that heavy rainfall in Upper Assam had previously hindered progress, but with improved weather conditions, construction is anticipated to gain momentum.