Arunachal CM hints at terminating contract in delayed highwa
Arunachal CM hints at terminating contract in delayed highway project
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu indicated that the state government may terminate the contract with a firm for the construction of an 11-km stretch of NH-415
ITANAGAR — Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday indicated
that the state government may terminate the contract with a firm for the
construction of an 11-km stretch of NH-415.
The project, extending from a bridge over Barapani river in
Naharlagun in Capital Complex Region to Nirjuli in Papum Pare district, has
significantly overshot its completion deadline.
Responding to a Zero Hour discussion initiated by BJP
legislator Pani Taram regarding the poor state of the critical roadway in the
state capital, Khandu asserted that the government could not afford to leave
the project in limbo.
“Despite the successful completion of good roads in many
districts under the Trans Arunachal Highway, when people travel through this
road, all the good work of the government is overshadowed," Khandu
lamented.
He added that as per the agreement, the progress of the road
construction has been disappointingly slow.
Awarded on December 8, 2021, the project was due for
completion in December last year. However, to date, only 39 per cent of the
physical work has been completed.
“In October last year, Minister of Road Transport and
Highways Nitin Gadkari reviewed the project's status during a meeting in New
Delhi. He advised the state government to persuade the contractor to complete
the project instead of terminating the agreement, as re-tendering would take
another seven to eight months,” Khandu said.
The chief minister revealed that the state government had
written twice to the construction company, Woodhill Shivam, urging it to
expedite the work. In response, the firm sought an extension of 18 months,
promising completion by May next year.
“We cannot afford to delay such a crucial project any
longer. The contract will be terminated, and fresh tenders will be floated.
Until then, the department concerned must undertake maintenance work on the
road for public convenience,” Khandu asserted.
Highlighting another setback, he mentioned that the flyover
construction on the same stretch was progressing at a sluggish pace, making it
unrealistic to expect timely project completion.
Earlier, raising the issue, Taram lamented the dire
condition of the road, calling it a vital link for the people of the state
capital.
He added that the deteriorated condition of the road was
causing severe hardships, forcing commuters to take an alternative longer route
via Yupia to reach Itanagar.
