The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has assigned the execution of Arunachal Pradesh's ambitious Frontier Highway project to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), reports said.
Arunachal Public Works Department (PWD) Highway had been engaged from the project's initial stages, including assisting in the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR). However, when contracts were recently awarded, NHIDCL was given responsibility for the eastern stretch of the highway, while BRO was tasked with the western section, excluding the state department entirely.
A senior PWD Highway official expressed disappointment noting that the department's contributions from the planning pahse have gone unrecognized.
He said, "NHIDCL has been given charge of the eastern Arunachal section of the Frontier Highway, while BRO has been assigned the western Arunachal section. PWD has been completely sidelined."
The department has raised the matter with state Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Members of Parliament from the state. "Right from the planning stage, we have played an important role in this project. By handing over the project to BRO and NHIDCL, our contribution has been completely ignored," the official added.
Although MoRTH has not officially explained the decision, many observers link it to the controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in land compensation along the Lada-Sarli stretch in East Kameng district.
Also Read: Strict action against those involved in Frontier Highway compensation scam: Arunachal Pradesh CM
The Frontier Highway project is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 42,000 crore. In March this year, the MoRTH issued bid acceptance letters to several firms that won tenders for its construction.
This ambitious highway project is not only of strategic importance but also holds significant promise for the socio-economic development of the border state. The project is seen as a move to counter China's aggression in Arunachal Pradesh.
The highway is being constructed along the 'India-Tibet-China-Myanmar' border and the road project will be as close as 20 km from the Line of Actual Control and international borders.
Starting from Bomdila, the highway will pass through towns like Nafra, Huri, and Monigong, concluding in Vijaynagar near the India-Myanmar border.