The Arunachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) Highway Department is awaiting a 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 spans from Papu Hill to Nirjuli, was initially awarded to M/s Woodhill-Shivam (JV) in December 2021, with a contract value of Rs 341,71,74,400 and a scheduled completion date of December 6, 2024. However, the contractor failed to meet the deadline, resulting in the termination of their agreement by the PWD Highway Department in April this year.
Following the contract termination, the department initiated the process of floating a fresh tender for Package B. The state of the highway is deplorable, and going by how casual the department has been, nothing much can be expected. For years, this road has inconvenienced citizens, yet it has not moved the government to intervene.
Occasional patchwork is not enough. The government must take this matter seriously and work with dedication and sincerity to complete a highway in the state capital.
