Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari on Thursday inaugurated the National Highway Projects worth Rs 9,533 crore in Arunachal Pradesh. It is by far the biggest move by the Centre towards the road infrastructure in the Northeast region.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju were also present at the event.
Gadkari claimed that the new highways and bridges will ensure quicker, safer, all-weather connectivity for the people of the state. He also assured the people that the government will leave no stone unturned to further develop Arunachal Pradesh.
He laid the foundation for two-laned Akajan-Likabali-Bame and the Joram-Koloriang road on National Highway (NH) 713. He also inaugurated the relaunch of Potin to Pangin of NH 229.
Two bridges over the Lohit and Dibang River were also inaugurated by the Minister.
Gadkari claimed that the department has done works worth Ten Lakh Crores and every project has been cleared and completed in an absolutely transparent and disciplined manner.
Underlining that Arunachal Pradesh is a rich source of bamboo, he said that it can help the state become a Bio-fuel hub. He further added that it will not only reduce unemployment but also increase farmers’ income.
CM Khandu on the event asserted that strict actions would be taken against those involved in corrupt practices related to highway compensation. He also blamed the land compensation issues and the unreasonably high compensation rates for the crippling of the Potin-Pangin Highway which was launched in 2008.