Villagers in Assam's Dima Hasao stop Silchar–Saurashtra highway project over pending compensation

The construction of the Silchar–Saurashtra East–West Corridor has hit yet another roadblock after residents of Dolai Chunga village in Dima Hasao district of Assam stopped work on the four-lane National Highway, citing non-payment of compensation.

The latest disruption comes close on the heels of a structural setback, after an under-construction flyover collapsed on Sunday, February 22 night at Dolai Chunga along the Harangajao–Jatinga stretch of the project, further compounding delays in a highway that has faced repeated hurdles since its inception in 2004.

The Silchar–Saurashtra East–West four-lane National Highway, a key artery aimed at improving connectivity between the Northeast and western India, has remained incomplete for more than two decades due to recurring technical, administrative and local challenges. With Assembly elections approaching in Assam, construction activity had recently accelerated following the intervention of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who had pushed for expediting the project and opening crucial stretches ahead of the polls.

However, from Wednesday onwards, aggrieved villagers of Dolai Chunga brought construction activities to a standstill, demanding immediate release of compensation for losses incurred during land acquisition and construction.

According to residents, on November 26, 2025, a joint survey was conducted to assess damage to the homes, land and plantations of 50 affected families. The survey involved officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Dima Hasao Land Revenue Department, the Public Works Department under the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, as well as the Agriculture and Forest Departments. Following the assessment, compensation bills were reportedly prepared and submitted to the Silchar Project Implementation Unit (PIU) office of NHAI.

Despite this, villagers allege that no compensation has been disbursed to date.

An affected resident stated that additional land was acquired for the highway expansion, resulting in the destruction of several houses, betel nut plantations and fruit orchards. These plantations, villagers said, were their sole source of livelihood.

Residents further alleged that State Ministers Kaushik Rai and Nandita Garlosa, during a visit on January 31 ahead of the proposed inauguration of the highway stretch, had urged villagers not to obstruct the project and assured them that compensation would be released at the earliest. The villagers were also asked to vacate three houses to facilitate project completion.

However, the affected families claim that despite these assurances, their compensation files remain pending at the NHAI office in Silchar, and no financial relief has reached them. They allege that with elections nearing, the issue was handled with political considerations rather than administrative urgency.

“We will not allow construction to resume until our compensation is released,” villagers asserted, ruling out any compromise.

The economic fallout, residents said, has been severe. With betel nut and fruit orchards destroyed, household incomes have dried up, pushing families into financial distress.

The protesting villagers have sought intervention from the Dima Hasao district administration and police authorities, urging them to ensure immediate settlement of compensation claims and restore trust in the implementation of the project.