Haflong: Assam minister Kaushik Rai on Tuesday conducted an on-site inspection of the ongoing construction of the East–West Corridor’s Harangajao–Nirimbanglo stretch in Dima Hasao district.

The East–West Corridor, aimed at connecting Barak Valley’s Silchar with Gujarat’s Saurashtra, was announced by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on October 10, 1998. The foundation stone was laid in 2004 by the then Union minister for surface transport B.C. Khanduri and Union finance minister Jaswant Singh.

The 3,300-km-long road was originally scheduled for completion in 2007, but the project faced long delays, mainly due to geomorphic and terrain-related challenges in the hilly areas of Dima Hasao. The Assam government has now set a fresh deadline of April 2026 for completion.

During his visit, Rai inspected the 49-km Harangajao–Nirimbanglo stretch at several locations, including Muolkoi and Doloichunga. The inspection focused on earthwork, structural progress, and adherence to quality standards. Officials briefed the minister on the progress made so far and the steps being taken to resolve pending issues to meet the targeted opening.

Expressing optimism, Rai credited Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s proactive approach and constant monitoring for speeding up the work. “Due to the chief minister’s alertness and sharp oversight, I am confident that this newly aligned section will soon be ready for public use,” he said, despite the challenging terrain.

The minister informed that around 45.05 km of the 49-km stretch has already been completed. About 1.6 km of work is expected to be finished by February, while the remaining portion will be completed by April.

After the inspection, Rai chaired a review meeting with officials at the Haflong Circuit House to discuss the project’s progress. He later left for Guwahati.

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