Assam: NH-17 expansion leaves Boko residents choking on dust, facing daily hardships

The ongoing expansion of National Highway 17 through the town of Boko has triggered widespread concern among residents, who say the slow pace of construction and inadequate safety measures have turned the infrastructure project into a daily ordeal.

The 200-kilometre stretch connecting Guwahati to Bilasipara is being expanded under the supervision of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. While the project aims to improve connectivity and facilitate smoother travel across western Assam, residents allege that poor execution has resulted in severe inconvenience and health concerns for those living along the route.

Large clouds of dust generated during the construction process have enveloped the locality, with residents reporting a rise in respiratory problems and skin ailments. Commuters, including school and college students, are among the worst affected, facing significant challenges while travelling through the under-construction highway stretch each day.

Locals also allege that temporary diversion roads created to maintain traffic flow remain unpaved and poorly maintained. When water is sprayed to reduce dust levels, these muddy stretches reportedly become slippery, increasing the risk of accidents—particularly for two-wheeler riders.

The expansion project in the Kamrup district section has been divided into two segments—Package 9 and Package 10—covering the stretch from Dhupdhara through Boko to the Milmilia Reserve Forest and extending toward Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. The construction work is being executed by a joint venture between Anil Das and Sailaja Commercial Construction Pvt. Ltd., while supervision for both packages is being carried out by consultancy firm K&J Projects Pvt. Ltd. as the Authority’s Engineer.

Despite the involvement of multiple agencies, residents claim that little has been done to mitigate the worsening conditions on the ground. Local organisations have urged the authorities to urgently pave the diversion roads to ensure safer vehicular movement and reduce the risk of accidents.

Another pressing concern raised by residents is the difficulty faced by ambulances transporting emergency patients to hospitals in Guwahati. The deteriorating road conditions and constant vehicular congestion have reportedly slowed down medical transport, raising fears about delays during critical emergencies.

Environmental groups have also expressed alarm over the ecological impact of the project. According to activists, nearly 20,000 trees have been felled along the highway corridor to facilitate the widening work. They warn that the loss of green cover, combined with increasing dust pollution, could have long-term environmental consequences for the region.

For many residents of Boko, the highway expansion—intended to bring development and improved connectivity—has instead become a source of daily distress. As construction continues, locals are calling on authorities to address safety, health and environmental concerns to ensure that the promise of infrastructure development does not come at the cost of public well-being.