Residents & truckers face daily ordeal on NH-27 amid roadwork

Guwahati: Traffic movement along the Khanapara-Jorabat stretch of NH-27 has come to a grinding halt due to ongoing road development work by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The disruption has impacted thousands of vehicles entering the city from Meghalaya and upper Assam.
In response to the congestion, the Guwahati traffic branch issued an advisory on Wednesday, directing vehicle diversions and suggesting alternate routes.
The delays stem from the installation of pavement quality concrete (PQC) panels, which began last Thursday as part of pre-monsoon preparations to strengthen the roadway and ensure durability during the rainy season.
Residents who use the affected stretch daily have expressed their frustration over the worsening traffic snarls, particularly during evening hours when office-goers and commercial vehicles add to the congestion.

Pranab Sharma, a resident of Sonapur, described the situation as a nightmare. “What used to take an hour now takes over three hours to reach the city. The congestion has become a bane for us,” Sharma said.
He added that residents of Sonapur often resort to taking an alternate route through the Army Camp area to avoid the highway. However, this route poses its own risks, as the area is known for frequent elephant movement during early mornings and late evenings.
The disruption has not only inconvenienced local residents but also caused significant setbacks for businesses. Truck drivers have been forced to endure long waits in dry weather conditions, severely impacting their work.
Gurmeet Singh Deol, who operates a trucking business transporting fly ash and coal to Meghalaya, shared the toll the congestion has taken on his livelihood. “The constant delays have badly impacted my business. I’ve been losing trips and income,” Deol said.