After 12-Year Delay by Congress, Harangajao–Jatinga Stretch Set for January Opening: Kaushik Rai

The long-pending work on the East–West Corridor between Harangajao and Jatinga is finally close to completion, assured Barak Valley Development Department Minister Kaushik Rai. On Saturday (November 22), Rai, along with Rajya Sabha MP Kanad Purkayastha, Udharbond MLA Mihir Kanti Shome, and senior officials of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), inspected more than 60 kilometres of the project from Balacherra to Mahur.

During the visit, the team reviewed critical sections where a new alignment and an elevated road structure are being constructed. The Minister confirmed that construction on the new alignment is progressing rapidly and will be ready for traffic movement by January 2026, while the remaining finishing work will require another additional two to two-and-a-half months.

Major Construction Progress:

• 49 km stretch between NERIM Bungalow and Harangajao: Major sections completed.
• Jatinga to Harangajao (23 km): Final works under way.
• Balacherra to Mahur: 62 km inspected on Saturday.
• New alignment: Traffic expected to start from January.

Minister Rai mentioned that during several visits to Barak Valley, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had stated a year ago that the East–West Corridor would be completed by January 2026, and the project is currently on track.

Speaking to the media at the inspection site, Kaushik Rai said, “Today we are standing at the stretch of the East–West Corridor that covers Jatinga to Nerim Bungalow. The distance is around 23 km, and the work is almost complete here and the final works are going on. As we can observe, the work from Jatinga to Harangajao is going well and fast, I can say within January 2026 the traffic will be able to move be in the new alignment of the road at least for two lane. Rest of the work will be done within the next two and a half months.”

Rai criticised the Opposition for what he described as political hurdles that delayed the project. “Who was the MP of Silchar in 1999 when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced this project? Their party said it is not a ‘Mahasadak’ but a ‘Mahadhappa’ (scam). When BC Khanduri and Jaswant Singh, who were the Ministers then in 2004, laid the foundation of this East–West Corridor, what did the Congress party do? They intentionally delayed the environmental clearance between 2004 and 2016. It is only after the BJP formed government at the Centre and in Assam that the clearance was given.”

Rai stated that works worth Rs. 1,674 crore are currently under progress on the stretch. He acknowledged challenges in land acquisition across five villages, though only one village now remains unresolved, involving 4–5 hectares of land. Compensation has already been issued, but new concerns have emerged which will be discussed during the review meeting. “I am hopeful the matter will be resolved,” he said.

Once completed, the East–West Corridor is expected to significantly improve connectivity to the Barak Valley, reduce travel time and boost trade and development. The people of the region, who have waited over a decade, may finally see the highway opened for traffic early next year.

Minister Rai assured that while at least two lane road in the new alignment will be opened for traffic by January 31, 2025, the four lane work will be complete by April 2026.