Complete restoration of the Hoj-Potin road is expected to take another two months, according to a team of engineers from the state PWD (Highway), officials of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), and representatives of the contractor, NTLLP, who visited the Waterfall area along the Hoj-Potin section of the Trans-Arunachal Highway.
The inspection was carried out to assess the extensive damage caused by the 24 June cloudburst. The Hoj-Potin road has remained closed since 24 June after a major portion of the road was completely washed away near the Waterfall area before Potin. Besides the Waterfall stretch, multiple sections of the road have also suffered extensive damages.
PWD Chief Engineer (Highway) CS Choutang informed that the visit was undertaken to explore ways to restore road connectivity at the Waterfall area. He stated that experts were consulted on the feasibility of installing a Bailey bridge and carrying out slope protection works at the site. Following detailed discussions, it was decided to install a heavy-load-class Bailey bridge at the Waterfall area.
For a permanent solution, a proposal has been submitted to the MoRTH for the construction of a viaduct. However, Choutang pointed out that abutments would have to be constructed before the Bailey bridge can be launched. He added that if the weather remains favourable, connectivity on the Hoj-Potin road should be restored within the next two months by launching the Bailey bridge at the Waterfall area.
Efforts are also underway to clear mudslides and landslide debris from the Hoj-Potin road to restore it to its original two-lane width. The contractor has deployed machinery from both the Potin and Hoj sides up to the Waterfall area to clear the debris accumulated on the road due to heavy landslides.
The inspection team included Superintending Engineer (Highway) Nani Tath, MoRTH Regional Officer for Arunachal Pradesh W Blah, and other technical experts.
