Assam worker dies after falling into 30-foot pit at Naharlagun flyover construction site

A tragic incident at a flyover construction site in Naharlagun claimed the life of a 45-year-old construction worker from Assam, Jangbir Biswakarma. The worker fell into a 30-foot-deep excavation near the ABC Restaurant on the Naharlagun highway, allegedly due to negligence by the subcontractor firm, TK Engineering Consortium Pvt. Ltd.  

Police recovered Biswakarma's body from the site early this morning and sent it to the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) for a post-mortem examination to determine the precise cause of death.  

The flyover project, part of Package B of the Naharlagun highway development, was awarded to Odisha-based firm Woodhill-Shivam in 2021. The main contractor had subcontracted the work to TK Engineering Consortium Pvt. Ltd., which has faced criticism for failing to meet project milestones and the December 2024 deadline.  

The incomplete flyover construction has left several open excavations, posing serious safety hazards for local residents. The incident has amplified public concerns about the subcontractor’s accountability and the broader management of the project.  

Calls for stricter oversight and action against negligence have intensified as Naharlagun residents continue to grapple with the repercussions of delayed and unsafe construction practices. Authorities are reportedly considering the termination of TK Engineering Consortium Pvt. Ltd.’s contract under Package B.

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