Over 70% works completed: Arunachal CM Pema Khandu

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday took a review meeting with the officers of Highway department in connection to the progress and status of work of construction of the four-lane Itanagar-Banderdewa section of NH-415 (Package –A) and to plan a way forward for the early completion of this project.

During the review meeting, the Chief Minister was apprised that the project which, started in September 2017 and was targeted to be completed by September this year, could not progress satisfactorily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and also the long monsoon period.

However, despite all odds, the physical achievement reported is at 72.46 per cent as on September 1 last, an official communiqué informed here.

The formation cutting of earthwork has been completed throughout the stretch of the road except for a small patch, which has been kept intentionally near Shiv Mandir for filling up the culvert bridge in between the mandir and Dree ground.

The other works like protection walls, drains and cover drains, culverts and carpeting of roads would be taken up in earnest to be completed during the coming working season, the officials of the department informed Khandu. With the relaxation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), the concessionaire is bringing in more labourers from nearby states to increase the pace of the execution of the project, the official informed during the meeting.

The State government had sanctioned Rs. 82.85 crore for improvement of Capital roads and for repair and maintenance of roads bridges in and around the capital region for which tender process has been completed and the work would commence soon.

The Chief Minister directed the Department to take up the work on a mission mode and strictly adhere to the timeline as planned and targeted by them for early completion of the project.

It has further cleared that review of the progress would be taken in every fortnight. The department's officers were further advised that in the process, timely maintenance of the highway must be done so that the commuters have better riding experience, the communiqué added. (IANS)  

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