NH-127(B) construction triggers flood fears and quality concerns in Assam’s Dhubri

A construction project being executed by J Infratech Ltd. along National Highway 127(B) has triggered concern and protests among residents living between the Tamarhat and Kumarganj areas in Assam’s Dhubri district.

Local residents have alleged that a newly constructed structure, described by some as an elevated road shoulder and by others as a protective embankment, could significantly increase flood risks for hundreds of families residing near the volatile Gangadhar River. They have also accused the executing agency of using substandard construction materials in the ongoing work.

The dispute pertains to a two-to three-kilometre stretch running parallel to the under-construction NH-127(B). According to residents, the structure has been built approximately 50 to 100 metres away from the riverbank, raising apprehensions regarding its effectiveness in controlling erosion and floodwaters.

While locals have welcomed broader infrastructure development in the region, many have questioned the design and alignment of the structure. Residents argued that instead of constructing a conventional embankment directly along the riverbank to contain erosion and seasonal flooding, the barrier has been erected alongside the highway.

Villagers fear that during the monsoon season, the structure could function as an artificial obstruction, trapping overflowing water on the western side and leading to large-scale inundation of homes, agricultural fields, and low-lying settlements. Residents also claimed that the barrier is positioned too far from the Gangadhar River to prevent ongoing erosion, making it ineffective as a flood-control measure.

Concerns have also been raised over the quality of the construction. Several residents alleged that poor-grade cement mixtures and weak materials are being used in the project, questioning the long-term durability of the structure ahead of the monsoon season.

“The construction is so fragile that a simple kick could wash it away,” alleged a local resident, expressing fears that the structure may not withstand strong water currents during heavy rainfall.

Fearing displacement, crop losses, and possible structural failure, local residents have urged the district administration and concerned departments to immediately intervene and conduct a detailed technical assessment of the project. They have demanded an independent inquiry into both the alignment and quality of the construction work.

“Instead of protecting us from the river, they have built a wall that will trap the water right in our backyards,” another resident said, urging authorities to take preventive measures before the onset of heavy monsoon rains.

Officials of J Infratech Ltd. have not yet clarified whether the ongoing work forms part of the standard shoulder construction for NH-127(B) or is linked to a separate flood management or disaster mitigation component integrated with the highway project.

As monsoon season approaches, residents continue to demand transparency, a quality audit, and immediate corrective measures to prevent potential flooding and structural damage in the area.