Lok Sabha Question No. 911 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: National Highways in Assam
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Ranjit Dutta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 911

ANSWERED ON 24 TH  JULY, 2025

## NATIONAL HIGHWAYS IN ASSAM

911. Shri Ranjit Dutta:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  stretches  of  the National  Highway  from  Baihata  Chariali  to  Mission  Chariali  and  from Gohpur  to  North  Lakhimpur  in  Assam  are  in  a  severely  deteriorated condition with numerous potholes and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that these road stretches are vital for daily commuters and have become accident-prone due to poor maintenance  necessitating  urgent  intervention  for  the  safety  and benefit of the local population and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any plans or proposals to repair and upgrade these stretches in a time-bound manner; and
- (d) if so, the details of the proposed timeline and budgetary allocation
- made thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) to (d)    The stretches of the National Highway from Baihata Chariali to Mission Chariali and from Gohpur to North Lakhimpur in Assam have recently been entrusted to National Highways & Infrastructure Development  Corporation  Limited  (NHIDCL)  as  per  Gazette  of  India Notification dated 30.05.2025. However, these stretches are yet to be physically  handed  over  by  the  State  Public  Works  Department  to NHIDCL.

The State PWD has reported that the stretch from Baihata Chariali to Mission Chariali (Km 0.000 to Km 134.500) had developed potholes at several locations which were rectified through Short-Term Maintenance Contract  (STMC)  carried  out  during  2024-25.  As  regards  the  stretch from Gohpur to North Lakhimpur, potholes had developed due to severe rainfall  and  landslides  at  various  locations  during  the  2024  monsoon. These  stretches  were  not  under  DLP  (Defect  Liability  Period)  at  the time. To address these issues, two maintenance works under Performance-Based  Maintenance  Contract  (PBMC)  mode  have  been sanctioned and the works were allotted on 18.12.2024 and 17.06.2025 respectively, which will ensure maintenance of these road stretches for the next five years.

A Project Management Consultancy (PMC) firm has been engaged for  carrying  out  the  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  of  4-laning  of  the section  from  Baihata  Chariali  to  Mission  Chariali.  Further,  bids  have also been invited for engaging Project Management Consultancy (PMC) in  the  stretch  from  Gohpur  to  Lakhimpur  wherein  bids  have  been received and are under evaluation.

The  Government  has  prioritized  the  maintenance  of  National Highways  (NH)  network  and  has  evolved  a  mechanism  to  ensure Maintenance and Repair (M&R) of all NHs  sections through an accountable maintenance agency. The Government has planned that all NHs  sections  should  be  under  Maintenance,  through  one  of  the following mechanisms:

- i. Maintenance & Repair (M&R) of stretches of NHs, where development works have commenced or Operation, Maintenance and  Transfer  (OMT)  Concessions/  Operation  and  Maintenance (O&M) Contracts have been awarded are the responsibility of the concerned Concessionaires/ Contractors till the end of the Defect Liability Period (DLP)/ Concession Period.
- ii. For  all  remaining  sections  of  NHs  stretches,  Government  has taken a policy decision to undertake maintenance works through Performance-Based Maintenance Contract (PBMC) or  Short-Term Maintenance  Contract  (STMC).  While  STMC  works  are  generally undertaken  for  a  contract  period  of  1-2  year,  PBMC  works  are undertaken for a contract period of about 5-7 years.

Additionally,  regular  road  inspections  are  carried  out  to  assess road  conditions,  identify  areas  requiring  maintenance  or  upgradation, and  ensure  that  the  highways  remain  safe,  accessible,  and  wellmaintained.

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