After India Today NE report, authorities move to plug gaping void under Kaliabor highway

The authorities swung into action after an India Today NE report highlighted a dangerous stretch of the newly constructed national highway at Kaliabor Tiniali, where soil erosion beneath the road had created a tunnel-like cavity and raised concerns over the safety of commuters.

Following the report, sand was dumped and the eroded portion of the highway was filled early Wednesday morning as officials moved to address the situation.

The road stretch near the flyover at Kaliabor Tiniali, connecting Nagaon with Tezpur, had developed a large cavity underneath after soil supporting the newly constructed road gradually eroded.

The condition had raised fears that the road could collapse at any moment, posing a serious risk to vehicles and commuters using the busy highway.

The erosion had created a tunnel-like gap beneath the road, with the weakened section becoming increasingly dangerous for traffic.

The report had also highlighted allegations that the construction agency and local authorities had failed to respond despite the visible deterioration of the road.

Locals had attributed the erosion to alleged poor workmanship and negligence by the contractor engaged in the project. The work was reportedly undertaken by a construction firm named Ganapati.

Following the publication of the report, the authorities acted promptly and began filling the affected section with sand in an attempt to prevent further erosion and stabilise the road.

However, questions remain over the structural integrity of the newly constructed stretch and whether a temporary filling operation will be sufficient to address the underlying erosion.

The development has also renewed concerns over the quality of highway construction and the need for regular inspection of vulnerable stretches, particularly during the monsoon.

Further technical assessment may be required to determine the extent of damage beneath the road and ensure the safety of commuters travelling between Nagaon and Tezpur.