Heat, Hunger, and Helplessness: The NH-27 Breakdown Nobody Is Talking About

More than 10,000 commercial trucks have remained stranded for over 15 days along National Highway 27 between Lumding and Silchar, as landslides and severe road damage in Assam’s Dima Hasao district have rendered the key stretch impassable.

A major disruption has occurred on approximately 30 km of the highway, where repeated landslides and poor maintenance have left the road in a severely dilapidated condition. In response, the Dima Hasao district administration had issued an official order banning the movement of all goods-carrying vehicles along the route until further notice.

As a result, thousands of truck drivers and handymen—many of whom have been stuck at the same spot for over two weeks—are now battling extreme hardship. With no access to clean water, food, or shelter, many have been forced to live under open skies in scorching summer temperatures, facing severe health and hygiene concerns.

The crisis has also sparked financial distress. A large number of the stranded vehicles belong to truck owners from across the country, many of whom are now struggling to pay monthly bank EMIs due to the prolonged halt in operations.

Despite the escalating situation, no significant assistance has come from the Hojai district administration, truckers allege. However, local goodwill has provided some temporary relief. A bank employee from the area has been voluntarily supplying drinking water to the stranded drivers for the past two days. Additionally, the Lanka and Lumding Truck Drivers’ Associations have arranged for mid-day meals, offering crucial support to the suffering workers.

Expressing deep frustration over the lack of official intervention, the truck drivers' unions have issued a strong ultimatum. They warned that if vehicular movement is not restored immediately, they will be forced to launch an indefinite strike and protest against the administration.

“We have been stuck here for over two weeks in inhumane conditions. If the government does not reopen the route or provide relief, we will have no option but to go on strike,” said a representative of the Lumding Truck Drivers’ Association.

The incident has once again highlighted the fragile nature of infrastructure in Assam’s hill districts, particularly during the monsoon season. It has also raised questions about disaster preparedness and the lack of contingency planning for vital supply routes connecting Barak Valley and the rest of the Northeast.

With thousands of livelihoods hanging in the balance, affected drivers and transporters are now looking to the government for urgent intervention and immediate restoration of connectivity.

Also Read: Assam: Heavy Rainfall & Landslides Snap Haflong-Silchar Road Link