Assam: NHAI officials assess damage to NH-17 as flash floods disrupt heavy vehicle movement

In the wake of recent flash floods caused by heavy rainfall, officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Tuesday, June 3 conducted a thorough inspection of National Highway 17 (NH-17), a crucial transport artery connecting West Bengal to Guwahati in Assam. The inspection included senior NHAI personnel, including the General Manager, who reviewed the extent of damage and ongoing repair work along the affected stretches of the highway.

Significant portions of NH-17, particularly in the Boko and Chaygaon areas under Assam’s Kamrup district, were washed away during the recent deluge. As a result, heavy vehicles, including trucks from states like West Bengal, Meghalaya, and others, were stranded for over 36 hours, creating logistical bottlenecks. Despite these disruptions, the local administration and police facilitated the movement of essential and smaller vehicles, including ambulances, passenger buses, and private cars.

NH-17 is currently undergoing a four-lane expansion project and spans approximately 477 kilometers. It serves as a vital infrastructure corridor for the northeastern region of the country. Officials from the highway expansion construction company noted that the NHAI’s visit was critical in evaluating flood preparedness and ensuring that road users, particularly freight carriers, can traverse the stretch safely during adverse weather conditions.

The NHAI is expected to develop a strategic flood-management and traffic-regulation plan to mitigate similar disruptions in the future as the construction progresses.