Silchar: With the Assam assembly elections just days away, the long-delayed East-West Corridor project has resurfaced as a key political issue in Barak Valley, with a crucial stretch still incomplete despite repeated assurances from CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.During a visit last year, Sarma had said he would travel to Barak Valley via the corridor while campaigning, asserting that the pending work would be completed before the elections. That promise, however, remains unmet, fuelling public discontent across the region.The spotlight is on the 25-km Harangajao-Jatinga stretch in Dima Hasao district, part of NH-27, which has faced delays for over a decade. Authorities had initially targeted Jan 31 to open at least a two-lane carriageway, later revising the deadline to Feb 15. The opening was again deferred due to technical issues and incomplete flyovers.Concerns over construction quality intensified after a portion of an under-construction bridge on the highway collapsed on Feb 22, raising questions about project monitoring and safety standards.However, officials said progress has accelerated in recent months. Land acquisition issues were largely resolved by late Nov 2025, and work has since gathered pace. More than 90% of the Nirimbanglo-Harangajao section was reported completed by early 2026.While a partial opening may offer some relief, the full four-lane expansion is now expected only by April 2026 — after the elections. The delay has turned the corridor into a major talking point, with infrastructure development emerging as a decisive electoral factor in Barak Valley.Residents say the project is vital for cutting travel time between Silchar and Guwahati and boosting trade and connectivity. “We have waited for years. Every election brings promises, but deadlines keep shifting,” said a trader.Further adding to concerns, reports of structural deterioration in some completed stretches have prompted calls for stricter quality checks and accountability.The East-West Corridor project, aimed at connecting Silchar in Assam to Saurashtra in Gujarat, was announced by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998. The foundation stone for the Silchar stretch was laid in 2004 by then Union minister B.C. Khanduri and finance minister Jaswant Singh. The ambitious 3,300-km highway was originally slated for completion by 2007, but delays have persisted for nearly two decades.As campaigning peaks, the incomplete corridor stands as both a symbol of ongoing development and a reminder of missed deadlines, putting the government’s execution record under sharp public and political scrutiny.
