Dhubri: Work on the ₹318-crore Gauripur Bypass in Assam’s Dhubri district has remained halted for more than two months, triggering public anger and raising questions over planning and execution of the project that was projected as a major step to ease urban congestion.The 9.65-km four-lane National Highway bypass, launched nearly two years ago, has drawn sharp criticism as progress has “virtually” come to a standstill.Sources in NHAI said the stoppage is linked to flaws in the Detailed Project Report (DPR), which have led to technical complications affecting construction. The firm executing the project is reportedly in touch with NHAI offices in Guwahati and Delhi to clarify the DPR-related technical faults, but rectification is expected to increase the project cost.Residents living along the stretch have questioned how the project reached a standstill and who is responsible. “If there are technical faults in DPR or other issues, then it should be rectified and work should be resumed without any further delay”, they demanded.Locals also alleged the use of poor-quality soil, fly ash and other materials in the flood-prone area, claiming early signs of erosion with the onset of rains.The bypass plan includes 42 culverts and three bridges, but progress has been minimal. Construction of the bridge over the Khudimari Wetland has not yet started, despite the project’s target completion date of October, 2026, an informed source said.Concerns have also been raised about the possibility of an investigation into financial irregularities under the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and construction) model, including whether the model is being followed.Assistant executive engineer of NHAI (NH 17) Syed Afroz Ahmed told TOI he joined the post in March this year and that the assembly election period followed soon after. He said he had learned about anomalies in the DPR and that the matter was being processed up to Delhi.“There are some issues concerning this Gauripur bypass and these are being shortened out and work will resume after completion and correction of anomalies in DPR,” Ahmed added.
