TK Engg draws flak over tardy progress on highway project
ITANAGAR, Dec 11: All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has reiterated that the state government and the capital administration proceed with the construction of National Highway 415 as per the National Highways Authority (NHA) guidelines.
Referring to the minutes of the 10 November meeting held between representatives of the AAPSU, the CCCBOWA, the state APCC-I president and officers of the state government regarding construction of the four-lane highway, and also referring to its 5 September memorandum, the AAPSU said it had clearly stated in its memorandum that the construction of NH 415 should be as per the laid down guidelines of the NHA, and that any violation would tantamount to deviating from the government notification.
In a representation to the chief secretary, the union said, “Keeping in consideration the future interest of the twin capital, the AAPSU disassociates from any such minutes which is against the welfare of the common people in getting good roads.”
It said eviction has been carried out from Chandranagar to Vivek Vihar following a cabinet decision taken in October, and urged the administration to continue the eviction drive “in the same spirit, measuring 15/15 on both sides of the road.”
Meanwhile, expressing disappointment over the slow progress being made on the four-lane highway project from Chandranagar to Papu Nallah tri-junction in the capital complex, RTI activist Payi Gyadi raised doubt over the capability of the highway construction company, TK Engineering Consortium Pvt Ltd.
He even termed the ongoing four-lane road work here “a kind of repairing work of a two-lane highway,” stating that the standards and specifications for a four-lane highway were not being maintained here.
“The width of the so called four-lane road here is 20 metres or less, whereas the width of the road, as per the norm, should be 30 metres,” Gyadi said in a representation to the governor and the state government.
Expressing concern over the tardy progress of the project even as the working season is closing by the week, Gyadi stated that neither men and machineries nor a monitoring team can be seen at the project site.
He also said “not a single culvert has been constructed so far.”
“The road, devoid of footpaths for the pedestrians, is being constructed in an unplanned manner, keeping no provisions for laying water supply pipes, telephone cables, erecting electric poles, etc, while road dust keeps flowing, causing health hazards,” Gyadi said.
Seeking the governor’s and the chief minister’s intervention for early completion of the road, he suggested that a capable party be engaged if TK Engineering fails to follow the terms and conditions of the MoU.
Gyadi has submitted copies of the representation to the chief secretary and the highway chief engineer.