Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday reviewed the progress of 15 ongoing national highway (NH) projects, covering 423 kms, in Arunachal Pradesh. The meeting was attended by, among others, Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. There was proper mentioning of the outcome of the meeting. One can only hope that this meeting speeds up the work on the ongoing highway projects in the state. Of all, the slow progress in the construction of the Papu Nallah to Nirjuli section of the Itanagar to Banderdewa four-lane highway project is a major concern for the people of the state.
The people of the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) are facing so much trouble due to the failure of the contractors to complete the project on time. The government should focus on completing this stretch of project as soon as possible. Also, the condition of highways, especially those already constructed, are also in a bad shape in many districts, including in the ICR and Papum Pare district. The ministry should give fund for repairing these damaged highways at the earliest.