2027 New Timeline! “Why is BJP’s double-engine Sarkar unable to complete the Mahasadak on time?” Sushmita Dev

Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev from the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) had sought clarity from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways regarding the progress of the Silchar-Saurashtra East-West Corridor under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP). In response to her queries, the Ministry revealed that the project’s completion has been further delayed, with the revised deadline now set for June 2027.

MP Sushmita Dev had raised multiple questions to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, seeking updates on the current status of the corridor, reasons for the delay, funds allocated and utilised, any proposed modifications, and the expected timeline for completion. On Wednesday, 26 March, she received an official response from Union Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari, outlining the challenges and measures being taken to complete the remaining stretch.

According to the Ministry’s response, 3,480.62 km of the corridor has been completed out of the total 3,576.55 km, with the remaining 95.93 km still under implementation or bidding. The delay in completion, particularly in West Bengal and Assam, has been attributed to land acquisition issues, pending environmental and forest clearances, financial difficulties faced by contractors, and force majeure events.

The government has taken steps to resolve these issues, including expediting approvals through the Parivesh Portal, streamlining land acquisition, and conducting review meetings with stakeholders. Regarding financial allocations, the response noted that funds are allocated on a project-by-project basis, but the overall budgetary allocation to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has significantly increased over the years, reaching Rs. 2,18,025 crore in 2024-25 (provisional). The Ministry also clarified that no modifications or realignments have been proposed for the corridor.

The most critical revelation in the response was the new completion deadline of June 2027. The Ministry stated that the corridor is of strategic and socio-economic importance, serving as a gateway for the North Eastern states and providing connectivity to Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. The delay means that people in the region will have to wait at least two more years for improved infrastructure and connectivity.

Reacting to the delay, MP Sushmita Dev expressed her disappointment, highlighting how the BJP had previously staged protests over the slow progress of the project, even alleging conspiracies behind the delay. However, she pointed out that now, under BJP’s own government, the project is still facing repeated extensions, raising questions about their accountability.

She stated, “Today, I received a response to my questions, and the Ministry is citing several reasons for the delay, making it clear that the project won’t be completed by June 2027. The same BJP that once held demonstrations questioning the delay is now extending the deadline again. Why is this double-engine government unable to complete the project on time? June 2027 means two more years of waiting for the people.”