Improving road connectivity in the northeast region is one of the priorities of the central government. Over the years, it has pumped in huge funds and initiated many schemes to achieve this objective. In this context, it is important to know that the work on the trans-Arunachal highway is going on in full swing.
The mega two-lane highway project in Arunachal Pradesh will connect Tawang to Kanubari, covering a distance of over 1500 kilometres.
The highway once completed, is expected to touch eleven of the existing district headquarters of the country's most strategically located state.
Funded and implemented by the Government of India under "Special Accelerated Road Development Programme in North East, the construction work is expected to be completed by early 2018. It will cost an estimated Rs. 10,000 crore.
Bora Ete, Chief Engineer, Eastern Zone Highways, told ANI, "Out of 1,556 kilometres, about 1,000 kilometres are in various stage of progress, and the remaining 600 kilometres has already been awarded and the work will start very soon. One of the projects of the Trans-Arunachal Highway, which is 311-kilometres long, was awarded the 'Sushee IVRCL Arunachal Highways Ltd.' Award. It connects Nechipu in West Kameng to Hoj in Papum Pare, cutting Seppa in East Kameng. It is doing extremely well."
Avneesh Bajaj, a project manager, said, "The official completion date of construction of this road is actually in January 2018, but we are working with speed and our endeavour is to complete this work before time so that we can give a good road to the Arunachal people."
The highway will provide improved connectivity to Itanagar and important locations of population concentration and economic activities, including the sites of major hydro electric power projects.
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It will connect important places such as Tawang, Bomdila, Seppa, Ziro, Changlang, Khonsa and Kanubari.
Locals believe that the highway will boost the economy, especially agriculture and tourism in the state.
A villager said, "After completion of the road construction, it will lead to development in our area. It will also benefit the farmers and will help locals during any medical emergency."
A local said, "The Arunachal highway, which is under construction, will be extremely helpful for our generation. We are thankful to the government for this facility."
There is also a proposal to construct 1800-Kilometer-long Indo-China Frontier Highway in Arunachal Pradesh.
The proposed highway will pass through Tawang, East Kameng, Changlang, Hawai and Vijaynagar in the bordering areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
There are also plans to build an industrial corridor in the state to improve its economy and generate jobs for the locals.
