A report which was widely circulated in the local media on Wednesday claimed that a majority of the ADC and CO headquarters in the state will be connected by all-weather roads by the year 2024.
The report also boasts that the government will provide support for the repair and maintenance of already completed roads under the Chief Minister Comprehensive State Road Plan 2019-24 programme. Under the said plan, the PWD will develop important interstate and inter-district roads to the specification of state highways.
The aims and objectives of the plan sound good on paper, but a big question mark hinges over its implementation. This plan has been unveiled by the government at a time when a majority of roads in the state, especially those in and around the capital complex are in dilapidated conditions.
The PWD has not been able to maintain even a single stretch of road from Papu to Yupia, but is selling dreams of maintaining roads across the state to the people.
The condition of roads, including the national highway, colonies and sectors are in horrific condition in the capital region. A bridge over the Pachin river at Borum near the helipad in Naharlagun and another near Division IV in Itanagar, which once completed will ease traffic congestion, are yet to be completed.
Despite knowing the importance of these two bridges, the authorities have failed to complete them at the earliest. All these projects are being executed by the PWD.
It is good that the state government and PWD are aiming high, but they should first complete the ongoing projects and maintain the existing roads.