Diger villagers protest road survey, demand cabinet-approved alignment of ADRHARDP project

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 5, 2025

Villagers in the Diger constituency of Dima Hasao have raised strong objections to the ongoing survey of the Assam Disaster Resilient Hill Area Roads Development Project (ADRHARDP), alleging that the approved road alignment has been deliberately altered.

The Rs 3,875-crore project, announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and cleared by the Assam Cabinet in June 2025, aims to construct 348 km of disaster-resilient roads across the hill district. Among the key stretches, the 112-km Thongriko–Moulkong–Simtuilong–Semkhor–Maibang–Gunjung–Jorai–Longkuk corridor was expected to run along the existing PWD road covering the entire Diger constituency.

However, locals allege that the current survey has bypassed their area, undermining both the Cabinet’s decision and the constituency’s long-awaited hopes for connectivity. Residents suspect vested interests at play, claiming that surveyors have manipulated the alignment for “ulterior motives.”

“Diger is one of the most backward constituencies in Dima Hasao. We were filled with hope when the Chief Minister announced this project. But if the alignment is changed, this road will remain only a dream for us,” said one villager.

Strategically located along the Assam–Nagaland border, Diger has faced persistent challenges, including unlawful activities and encroachment. Residents argue that improved road connectivity is not only vital for development but also essential for strengthening security and governance in the sensitive border belt.

The aggrieved villagers have appealed directly to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Chief Executive Member of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) to intervene. They demand that the final alignment strictly adhere to the Cabinet-approved plan without deviation, ensuring that the benefits of the project reach one of the district’s most underdeveloped constituencies.