A commuter has raised serious concerns over the condition of the Dillai–Lahorijan stretch of National Highway-29 in Karbi Anglong, citing prolonged construction, poor road conditions and the difficulties faced by motorists using the important Assam–Nagaland corridor.
The approximately 10.79-km Dillai–Lahorijan section, known as Package-7, was taken up for widening to four lanes with paved shoulders. According to NHIDCL records, the project was awarded in September 2022 and had a scheduled completion date of July 20, 2024. However, the project remains officially classified as ongoing.
The commuter said road users are being forced to negotiate unfinished sections, dusty and uneven surfaces and areas where construction activity continues, while sharing the road with heavy commercial vehicles.
Public safety concern
According to the commuter, the condition is particularly concerning for two-wheelers, smaller vehicles and people travelling at night. Dust generated by heavy vehicles can also reduce visibility, while uneven surfaces and construction-related restrictions make the journey difficult.
The concern comes against the backdrop of prolonged delays in the Package-7 project. NHIDCL’s January 2026 project-status report recorded 96.8% physical progress, but no actual completion date.
NHIDCL subsequently issued a termination notice against the original contractor, M/s Shankar Agarwal, on February 2, 2026.
The highway agency has since been seeking a contractor for the balance work. A fifth-call tender for completing the remaining four-laning works between km 146.246 and km 157.460 was issued in August 2026.
Commuter seeks urgent intervention
The commuter, on social media platform X, has appealed to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and NHIDCL to prioritise the safety of road users while the remaining construction work is being processed.
The appeal includes immediate repair of dangerous road surfaces, proper traffic management around construction areas, adequate warning signs and reflective barricades, and safer arrangements for night-time travel.
The commuter also called for a clear and time-bound completion schedule for the remaining works, arguing that motorists should not continue to face prolonged inconvenience and safety risks because of delays in highway construction.
The Dillai–Lahorijan section forms part of the NH-29 corridor connecting Assam with Dimapur and Nagaland, making its condition important not only to local residents but also to interstate passenger and commercial traffic.
For the travelling public, the immediate concern remains straightforward: until the project is completed, the highway must at least be kept safe and reasonably motorable.