Staff Reporter
NIRJULI, 13 Oct: The Public Rights Action Committee (PRAC) organised a protest rally here on Tuesday over the dilapidated condition of the Papu Hill-Nirjuli road (Package B) and the delay in completing the Package B stretch of the four-lane highway.
People from various walks of life joined the protest, demanding an assurance from the state government on the repair of the stretch. They also sought the intervention of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who holds the PWD portfolio, to ensure the completion of the pending work.
Addressing the gathering, PRAC chairman Takam Sonia said people were tired of the poor condition of the road.
"Package B should be completed immediately. Roads across the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) should also be repaired regularly and kept clean. We want better roads for the citizens of the ICR," said Sonia, who is also a journalist.
PRAC spokesperson Tana Tamar, while briefing the media, alleged that the state government was not sincere about completing the Package B stretch of the four-lane highway.
"Chief Minister Pema Khandu took the initiative to complete Package A by setting a six-month deadline for the PWD and the contractor. We want similar action from him regarding Package B," Tamar said.
Earlier, the PRAC submitted a memorandum to the state government seeking a written assurance and a timeline for the completion of Package B. The committee also demanded measures to prevent unnecessary obstruction of the highway, regular maintenance of NH-415, including the Bage Tinali-Doimukh stretch, mandatory footpaths for pedestrian safety, and dedicated parking spaces for commercial establishments.
The protest was called off after the PWD assured the committee that repair work would be undertaken by the department, until the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) grants fresh sanction for Package B.
Briefing the media on behalf of the department, PWD chief engineer Bini Pelen said a tentative timeline for completing the package had been communicated to the PRAC.
"We have given a tentative timeline in this regard. The chief minister will also write to the ministry seeking early sanction for the package. Meanwhile, maintenance work will continue until a new contractor takes over after the tendering process is completed," Pelen said.
Package B, which stretches from Papu Hill to Nirjuli, was awarded to M/s Woodhill-Shivam (JV). However, the PWD highway department terminated the contractor's agreement in April this year after it failed to complete the work within the stipulated timeframe.
The state PWD highway department is awaiting fresh sanction from MoRTH for the Package B stretch of the Itanagar-Banderdewa four-lane highway.
The deteriorating condition of the Papu Hill-Nirjuli road has made life difficult for residents of the ICR, with public anger growing over the prolonged delay in completing the stretch.
