Neglected Stretch of NH 27 Plagues Dima Hasao Commuters

Hills live desk
Haflong Feb 16: Residents of Grem and Asang Haju villages in Assam’s Dima Hasao district are enduring severe hardships due to the dilapidated condition of National Highway 27 between Nriambangalo and Jatinga. Despite a 2022 disaster that damaged this critical portion, repair efforts have stalled, forcing daily travelers onto a crumbling old diversion road.

The Grem-Asang Haju stretch, hit hard by landslides and floods in 2022, remains unrepaired with deep potholes and unstable surfaces, turning routine commutes into nightmares. Locals report vehicles struggling through mud and debris, with journeys doubling in time as drivers avoid the hazards. A commuter lamented, “We don’t understand why the minister is unaware of the situation here. Every day we suffer on this broken road,” highlighting the frustration amid repeated appeals to authorities. Ministerial Focus Elsewhere

While state minister Kaushik Rai pushes to complete the nearby Harangajao-Jatinga stretch—targeted for opening by January 31st 2026, then again February 15 but was in vain—this vital link between Grem and Asang Haju has been overlooked. Recent reviews show 85% progress on the 49 km Nrimbanglo-Harangajao section, yet no similar urgency for the neglected portion. Protests in the past, including blockades in Harangajao, underscore years of similar grievances against slow National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) action.

Villagers question why spotlight remains on Harangajao-Jatinga while their section festers, risking lives during emergencies like medical transfers to Haflong.
With monsoons worsening woes annually, they demand comprehensive NH 27 restoration to reconnect Dima Hasao reliably.
As of February 2026, skepticism grows over unfulfilled deadlines, urging officials to prioritize this forgotten stretch.