[ Bengia Ajum ]

ITANAGAR, 23 Jul: The state PWD Highway Department is awaiting fresh sanction for the Package B portion of the Itanagar-Banderdewa four-lane highway from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Package B, which stretches from Papu Hill to Nirjuli, was awarded to M/s Woodhill-Shivam (JV). However, the contractor’s agreement was terminated by the PWD Highway in April this year after it failed to complete the construction within the stipulated timeframe.

Talking to this daily, PWD Highway Chief Engineer CS Choutang informed that, after the contract was terminated, the department initiated the process for floating a fresh tender for Package B.

“After the contract was terminated, a reassessment of the balance work was carried out, and a new DPR was prepared. We have submitted it to the ministry for sanction. As soon as the sanction is accorded, we will float a fresh tender and resume work on Package B,” said Choutang.

The chief engineer added that, although it is difficult to provide a definite timeline, the department expects to float the fresh tender within the next six months if everything proceeds as planned.

“We understand that the road is currently in a very bad condition and people are facing immense inconvenience. From our side, we are pursuing the ministry for early sanction. Until then, with the support of the state government, we will carry out maintenance work once the rains subside,” said Choutang.

He further informed that maintenance of roads within Itanagar will also be taken up in the coming days.

The deteriorating condition of the Papu Hill-Naharlagun road has made life difficult for commuters using this stretch. Many residents of Naharlagun have taken to social media to vent their anger and frustration over the failure of the state government to maintain the road.

M/s Woodhill-Shivam (JV) was awarded the contract on 8 December, 2021 for Rs 341,71,74,400. The project was scheduled to be completed by 6 December, 2024.

Under the terms of the agreement, the contractor was required to mobilise adequate resources, execute the work with due diligence, achieve the prescribed project milestones within the stipulated timeframe, and maintain the highway in a safe and traffic-worthy condition throughout the construction period.

However, the contractor failed to fulfil its contractual obligations, prompting the PWD Highway to terminate the agreement in April this year. At the time of termination, the physical progress of the project stood at only 51.37 per cent.