Pema Khandu vows to quit if NH-415 remains incomplete by March

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday announced to quit his chair, if the construction of the package A portion of the NH-415 between Itanagar and Naharlagun is not completed by March 31 next year.

Responding to media queries during a function here, on the completion of the road which has already surpassed the deadline, Khandu said work on the highway portion got delayed due to various monsoon related challenges besides the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I assured the people that the portion of the highway will be completed by March end next year, leaving apart the underpass and bridges, or else I will resign from the chief minister's post," Khandu asserted.

He said, the deadline for completion of the highway portion was September 20 last. However, due to lockdown imposed following the COVID-19 situation throughout the country, the works got delayed.

Moreover, the monsoon rains and landslides were the challenges faced by the executing agency to carry on construction works on the highway, the chief minister added.

"Since the road project is included under Central road projects, the Centre has allowed for extension of the deadline by another six months keeping in view of the COVID-19 situation," Khandu disclosed.

He said, the package B and C of the highway from Naharlagun to Banderdewa have also been sanctioned by the Centre.

Earlier, addressing an interactive session on Agricultural reform acts at Siddharth hall here, Rijiju said that the Modi led BJP government is the only one, after Indian independence to bring agricultural reform in the country.

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