NEW DELHI, Feb 28: The stalemate over the construction of Potin to Pangin stretch of the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) is likely to end as the Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has directed its officials to immediately float tender for the work.
Union Minister of MoRTH Nitin Gadkari, after holding a detailed discussion with Chief Minister Pema Khandu, his deputy Chowna Mein and union minister Kiren Rijiju here this morning, directed the Union Secretary (RTH), DG and other officers that tenders should be floated immediately by taking smaller packages, so that the construction of the road can be taken up simultaneously all along the stretch.
He further directed that, in the interregnum, the worst affected portions of this road must be taken up for urgent maintenance.
Gadkari assured funds for the remaining two packages for construction of the Itanagar-Banderdewa section of the 4-lane highway, and gave go-ahead for floating tenders of the same.
It may be noted that Package- A (10.90 Km) of the total road length of 31.50 Km was sanctioned for Rs 341.83 crores during 2016-17 and the work is in progress.
DPRs for Package ‘B’ and ‘C’ (20.60 Km) have been submitted to the MoRTH. The tenders for the same shall be floated immediately.
Other road projects discussed during the meeting included Lalpul-Manmao-Changlang (68.30 Km) and Longding-Tissa-Khonsa (42.50 Km), Khonsa – Hukanjuri, Gobuk – Sijhon-Nallah, which are facing hurdles due to various factors. The minister has assured to fast track these projects.
Earlier, Chief Minister Pema apprised Gadkari that the 407 km Potin-Pangin stretch of the TAH is of utmost importance and needed immediate attention of the central government for its completion.
The Project is in suspension after the concessionaire gave foreclosure notice to the ministry on 2 February last. The state government had earlier apprised the ministry about the gravity of the situation through a letter dated 13th February, 2018.
Also present in the meeting were Tourism Minister Jarkar Gamlin, Deputy Speaker Tumke Bagra, legislators Tage Taki, Dikto Yekar and Tamar Murtem, officers of the Ministry of Road Transport and the state Highway Division of PWD.
