The Union Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday re-launched the project for two-laning of 351.38 kms of the Potin-Pangin section of NH 229 at a cost of Rs 3,956 crore. This project was earlier scrapped as Potin Pangin Highway Pvt Ltd (PPHL) – the construction agency engaged to construct the Potin to Pangin stretch of the Trans Arunachal Highway (TAH) withdrew in July this year citing various reasons. At present the condition of road is in pathetic condition. The re-launching of this highway comes as huge relief for the people. Potin-Pangin section of TAH is a very important road project for the state. It passes through the middle of Arunachal Pradesh and will provide better road connectivity to people of Lower Subansiri, Kurung Kumey, Kamle, Upper Subansiri, West Siang and Siang districts.
This project failed to take off earlier due to several reasons. One of the main reasons cited for its failure is compensation issue. The high compensation claim created major hurdle. It took almost 4 years just to resolve the compensation issues. However the problem did not end even after compensation issue was settled. The allegations of illegal payment of compensation surfaced especially in Lower Subansiri district as soon as the disbursement of compensation got over. At present an SIT investigation is going on in this regard. It is also alleged that construction agencies faced hostility from the public in the areas where it carried out work. Constant attack on its employees, and even cases of direct and indirect extortion reportedly took place. After lot of difficulties the ministry has agreed to re-launch Potin-Pangin section of TAH. Now it is responsibilities of citizens as well as district administration to ensure that this project do not again met the same fate.