Congress ' allegations on highway politically motivated: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Terming all allegations leveled by Congress regarding ongoing road constructions are baseless and politically motivated, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Monday said that all actions of ruling BJP government in the State led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu are totally transparent.

“All allegations leveled by Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Takam Sanjo) on ongoing Itanagar-Papu Nallah four-lane, Joram-Koloriang and Potin-Bopi stretch of the Trans Arunachal Highway (TAH) doing rounds in social media are concocted, he told media persons in his office here.

The past Congress government had decided the length of right of way (RoW) of four-lane to be 24 meter (12X2) which was neither notified nor implemented, but the present government decided it to be 30 meter in a Cabinet meeting on October 8 last, he said.

While clarifying that land within RoW of NH belonged to the government Mein made it clear thath compensation will not be paid for illegally built structures.

The original compensation estimated for the Itanagar-Papu Nallah stretch (phase-A) was Rs 240 crore, but reduced to Rs 175 crore, which was rejected by the Centre as exorbitant and re-estimated to Rs 42 crore and approved by state Cabinet to get central sanction, he said, adding all affected people have been paid compensation for which the state government had sanctioned Rs 8.54 crore and eviction would be carried out at one go, instead of phase-wise as decided earlier.

“The incumbency free land would be handed over to the PWD and works would beging shortly while blacktopping begun on Sunday,” he informed, adding that three persons including Lower Suabansiri DC were arrested for various charges, all compensation paid registrars seized for verification during ongoing investigation. The Congress has claimed involvement of politician but without naming, he said.

Almost 90 per cent land within RoW in Upper Subansiri, East Siang and Siang district have been made incumbency free to resume works soon, he said adding that he had taken up the matter with New Delhi and Shillong and received assurance of land compensation payment in phase-B and C of four-lane which will be cleared accordingly.

When asked that there are allegations of two structures were being renovated instead of demolishing after payment of compensation, he said that it was not in the knowledge of the state government.

On removal of Capital Complex DC Prince Dhawan, who was also present, he said such demand holds no ground.

On excessive dust caused by ongoing works, he clarified that direction has been given for daily watering on the road and traffic will be diverted through Jully road as and when required to achieve the target of completing the said four-lane portion within three years.