Arunachal Pradesh minister Kento Jini has written to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari requesting that the newly declared strategic Akajan-Likabali-Bame (ALB) Road project be handed over to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for implementation.

The BRO had originally built and maintained the road before it was transferred to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) in 2014-15. The Centre recently declared the ALB Road a strategic road, recognising its importance for border connectivity.

However, the road has remained vulnerable to frequent disruptions, with high volumes of landslides making it a dangerous route for commuters. The recent landslide at the Siji block point cut off the road for several days, snapping connectivity to the Siang Valley and Subansiri region.

Border roads require careful planning and execution, as the Himalayan terrain is fragile and consists of loose soil that is highly susceptible to landslides and flooding during the monsoon. Contractors and executing agencies have struggled to maintain a road of this magnitude, making it reasonable for the ministry to explore alternative agencies that can ensure safer construction, timely execution, and better long-term maintenance.