Nitin Gadkari inaugurates big-ticket highway projects in Arunachal Pradesh

GUWAHATI: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday laid the foundations for National Highway projects worth Rs 9, 533 crore in India’s frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Gadkari laid the foundation for projects including 2 laning of Akajan - Likabali- Bame and the Joram - Koloriang road from 50km to 138km of National Highway (NH) 713. The Union Minister also laid foundation for relaunch of Potin to Pangin of NH 229.

The minister was accompanied by the state Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju.


Speaking at the event, Gadkari assured the people that the government would leave no stone unturned to usher development of Arunachal. He said the new highways and bridges will ensure quicker, safer and all-weather connectivity for the people of the state.

Meanwhile, Khandu asserted that the state government would take stringent actions those indulging in corrupt practices related to highway compensation.

He said due to land compensation issues and exorbitant compensation rates, the Potin-Pangin Highway is unable to progress well despite the project being launched in 2008. He said in Bopi-Potin road, excess of compensation amount has been disbursed, which was disclosed after reassessment of the rates.

The CM further said that the highway construction in western part of Arunachal is moving at slow pace compared to eastern areas where the construction is taking place in full swing.

Khandu also said that the state government was taking every effort to expedite the Potin - Pangin road and has divided the project into 9 packages. He also said a new survey has been conducted for realignment that will reduce the 407km road to 352km.