Assam Shifts Silchar Road Project to PWD to Fix Decay

Guwahati: The Assam government stripped the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) of its responsibility for Silchar’s Capital Point-Rangirkhari road. The state handed the route over to the Public Works Department (PWD) to force better maintenance. Ministers Krishnendu Paul and Kaushik Rai confirmed the move Thursday, July 16, at the Cachar Deputy Commissioner’s office.

The decision followed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s direct orders. The road has crumbled under the strain of heavy rain, four-lane construction, and bridge excavation. The PWD will now draft a new cost estimate. They plan to strip the old surface and lay down fresh bitumen. Minister Paul explained the goal, stating, "the government reviewed the deteriorating condition of the Rangirkhari and Capital Point stretch and discussed measures to ensure that the reconstruction is carried out in accordance to government norms."

Heavy traffic must go. Trucks and buses now face a permanent ban on the Capital Point-Rangirkhari stretch. These vehicles will divert to the Silchar bypass and National Highway 37. While the NHIDCL lost the city road, it remains in charge of the NH-37 stretch toward Tarapur and Rangpur. Officials told the agency to repair that route by laying paver blocks during night shifts, provided the weather holds.

Attendees at the meeting included representatives from the district administration, the Public Health Engineering Department, and the Silchar Municipal Corporation. Officials expect the PWD to start work immediately following the monsoon season.