Guwahati, Nov 27: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Tuesday that 11 contractors have been brought on board to accelerate the construction of the Jorhat-Dibrugarh highway project. The decision follows concerns raised by the state government regarding the slow pace of work on the 127-km stretch.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, highlighted several factors contributing to the delays, including land acquisition issues, a shortage of raw materials like sand and silt, and the non-performance of some contractors. He confirmed, however, that the section from Numaligarh to Jorhat has been completed.

To overcome these challenges, the Jorhat-Dibrugarh stretch has been divided into smaller segments, with the 11 contractors now tasked with accelerating the work. The project includes the construction of nine vehicular underpasses, six pedestrian underpasses, and one flyover, all requiring large quantities of materials such as sand, earth, and boulders.

Gadkari assured Sarma that the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) would tackle these challenges and ensure the timely completion of the project.