Assam: Newly-built national highway collapses in Bongaigaon due to heavy rain

The recently constructed four-lane national highway from Tulungia to Jogighopa is facing severe structural issues, with portions collapsing due to heavy rains. The latest incident occurred last night when a large section of the highway at Chalantapara in Jogighopa gave way, raising fears of potential accidents.

The national highway, built by an external company named RSBI under a contract worth approximately Rs 636 crore, has been collapsing almost daily. Despite the project being fully completed and the road not yet open for regular traffic, numerous cracks and structural failures are appearing.

Locals have expressed their anger over the poor quality of construction, accusing RSBI and certain officials and engineers from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) of negligence and corruption. They allege that the road was built with substandard materials and that the project's completion was rushed without proper oversight.

In response to the latest collapse, the construction team attempted temporary repairs by filling the damaged areas with stones and sand. However, the ongoing issues, including frequent collapses and crumbling service roads, suggest deeper structural problems.

Earlier this year, a section of the road near a flyover at FCI in Kabaitari was also completely damaged. With the onset of the rainy season, the frequency of these incidents has increased, further endangering commuters.