Over slow pace of highway works Arunachal CM show concerns

Mechukha: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed concern over the slow pace of work on Tatu to Mechukha 2-lane highway in Shi-Yomi district.

Expressing his concern, Khandu said that the Arunachal Pradesh government has taken the matter seriously, a press note from the CM PR cell said.
Addressing the inaugural function of the first Prime Minister’s Youth Camp and Cycle Rally held here on Sunday, Khandu noted that the Aalo to Kaying road has been satisfactorily completed and the section between Kaying and Tato is on schedule. Proceeding accordingly.
Pema Khandu, however, lamented that the section from Shi-Yomi district headquarters Tato to Mechukha would never be completed on time at the current pace of development.

“Having traveled the road, I can say that the equipment and manpower being deployed on this stretch is sub par and at this rate the road will not be completed on time,” he said.
He said that during his overnight stay in Mechukha, he held several meetings with the district administration, senior leaders, panchayat leaders as well as party workers of the district, who have expressed concern over the poor development of the road.

Khandu said he had taken up the matter with the commander of the BRTF, which is executing the project, and said “the commander himself is serious about it.”
“Very soon the BRTF Commander will initiate the formalities as per the agreement reached with the contractors keeping timely completion of the project as top priority.”

“The contractor concerned is to blame for the delay,” observed Khandu.

“The contractor that got the package let it be subcontracted to another contractor, which put it further down the line. That’s not the way to execute a project of this importance,” he said.
The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh said that the state government with the support of the central government has taken the responsibility of connecting all the districts with two-lane highways but due to the mismanagement of the contractors, the government is failing the people.

Khandu called upon serious and qualified contractors to come forward and bid for the works whenever there is a tender.
“We are serious on early completion of this 40-plus km road and from now on, I will personally monitor its progress,” he assured.

In order to stress on the Centre’s concern for development of border areas, Khandu informed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Kibithu in Anjaw district on Monday and Tuesday where he will be launching the ‘Vibrant Villages Programme’ (VVP).

The VVP is a centrally sponsored scheme wherein 2,967 villages in 46 blocks of 19 districts abutting the northern border in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh have been identified for comprehensive development.

With Arunachal Pradesh having the longest international northern border, Khandu informed that the state will benefit the most.

“Of the 662 border villages identified for priority coverage in the first phase, 455 villages are in Arunachal Pradesh,” he said and assured that Shi Yomi would have major chunk of its villages covered under this program.

Congratulating the department of secondary education, the district administration and the NCC for organizing the first ever five-day Prime Minister Youth Camp and Cycle Rally at picturesque Mechukha valley, Khandu expressed optimism that it would offer a wonderful platform to promote cultural and inter-tribe bonding.

Khandu urged the participating youths from all parts of the state to gain from the experience at the camp and make it a lifetime memory.

“Every activity conducted here has some learning. Make most of it,” he advised.

Meanwhile, Khandu inaugurated the Mechukha Festival Ground, foundation of which was laid by him in November 2021.

He also inaugurated several other projects including the civil terminal building at the Mechukha airstrip.

Foundation stones were also laid of 4 projects including the district secretariat at Tato.

Local legislator and state Assembly Speaker PD Sona, education minister Taba Tedir and legislators Laisam Simai, Zignu Namchoom, Kento Jini and Jekke Tako, among others, were present on the occasion, the statement added.