The decision of Chief Engineer of Urban Development Department Taba Tedir to return compensation that he received for construction of the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) to the state government is an inspiring move. Tedir on Wednesday announced to return the compensation money amounting to Rs 3.25 crore which he had received for his property located at Billo village under Lower Subansiri district. Further he announced to voluntarily donate for the construction of TAH. The TAH work has been progressing at snail pace in Lower Subansiri district and compensation is considered to be the main reason for it. The allegations of corruption in distribution of compensation even lead to the arrest of former deputy commissioner of Lower Subansiri district.
Hopefully others will take cue from Chief Engineer Taba Tedir and come out to voluntarily donate land for construction of TAH. Also those who have illegally collected compensation without having structures near the proposed TAH should return money to the state exchequer. The condition of Potin to Bopi stretch of TAH is in pathetic condition. Government of India is providing fund for construction of road but the lure of compensation money has made citizens adopt illegal means to earn. Even though everyone wants good road but nobody is ready to donate even inch of land to construct road. Also this move of Chief Engineer Taba Tedir comes at a time when compensation is becoming an issue for construction of green field airport at Hollongi. It’s time the people of Arunachal Pradesh put aside their personal interest and think for the greater cause of the state. The greed for compensation money should not be allowed to destroy the future of state.