The news of the contractor of Arunachal’s first state highway – the Itanagar-Jote two-lane highway – threatening to stop all construction activities until the state government allocates adequate funds to the PWD against the project is a slap on the face of the government. Even though Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday assured to resolve the issue, it has still sent out a very wrong message. This project is very prestigious as it is for the first time that the government of Arunachal Pradesh is taking up a highway project on its own. The project is being funded by the NABARD under the RIDF.
Jote is emerging as the educational hub of the state. The NIT Jote has started functioning from the permanent campus. The Film and Television Institute near Jote is also slated to start operation from its permanent campus from the next academic year. Therefore, it becomes very important for the state government to complete the Itanagar-Jote highway at the earliest. It is to be noted that the people of Sangdupota circle in Papum Pare district have provided land free of cost for the construction of this highway. Of the total 20-km stretch, 14 kms fall under Sangdupota circle. The work on this stretch is going on in full swing. However, the work on the remaining 6-km stretch, which falls under the Itanagar Capital Region, is yet to start due to the failure of the administration to provide encumbrance-free RoW. The state government will be doing an immense disservice to the people of Sangdupota if it fails to properly fund the project. People have listened to the appeal of Khandu and voluntarily provided land free of cost. Now it is the duty of the state government to repay the sacrifice made by the people.