Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday, while inaugurating a new bridge here in Itanagar, informed that the state government has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the improvement of all sector roads in the state capital region. It is one thing to sanction fund, but the main job is to make sure that fund is properly utilized. All the major infrastructure projects being undertaken in the state capital should be monitored by the chief minister’s office (CMO). Ever since the CMO started monitoring the ongoing Itanagar to Papu Hapa (Nallah) four-lane project, the pace of work has sped up. The state capital is the gateway to Arunachal Pradesh but it has the worst road infrastructure. In fact, district headquarters like Pasighat, Tezu and Roing have better road infrastructure than the capital region. Therefore, the state government, particularly the CMO, should strictly monitor the use of Rs 100 crore for improvement of sector roads. This is a huge amount of money and cannot be allowed to be misused at any cost.
Many of the cement concrete roads constructed in various sectors and colonies of the capital have deteriorated in recent years. These roads were supposed to last for more than 30 years, but their condition has worsened within a span of merely three years. The poor quality of work is to be blamed for it. Also, capital MLA Techi Kaso informed on Monday that the state government has sanctioned Rs 15 crore for construction of road from near Hotel Subansiri to Papu Nallah via Donyi Polo Vidya Bhawan School. This is a welcome development. This alternate road will somewhat ease traffic congestion on the NH 415. However, instead of Papu Hapa (Nallah), the road should exit at either Yupia tri-junction or near Borum and then only it will act as an alternate road in the true sense. If not, the traffic from Hotel Subansiri to Papu Hapa (Nallah) via Donyi Polo Vidya Bhawan School road and NH 415 will merge at Papu Hapa (Nallah). It will further create more chaos and there will be heavier traffic jam from Papu Hapa (Nallah) to Naharlagun.