After India Today NE exposé, crippled Assam-Arunachal highway gets repair push

Construction crews have been deployed to repair a severely damaged stretch of National Highway 415 following sustained pressure from local leaders and safety concerns that have plagued commuters for seven months.

 

The urgent repair work comes after an India Today NE investigation on June 11 highlighted the deteriorating conditions on the highway section near Donyi Polo Airport, which serves as the main artery between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh's capital, Itanagar.

 

The damaged stretch has forced daily commuters to navigate hazardous single-lane traffic without proper safety measures, creating a critical bottleneck on the 61-kilometre highway that connects Arunachal Pradesh to the rest of India.

 

Local officials attribute the original damage to substandard construction work that failed to account for the area's vulnerability to water erosion. The section was washed away, leaving a dangerous gap that has persisted through the region's challenging weather conditions.

 

Nabam Nekhi, Gaon Burah of Holongi, had previously criticised the contractor's work and warned about the highway's strategic importance. "This is the key road linking Assam and Arunachal, which serves as the gateway to our capital Itanagar and handles passengers from Donyi Polo Airport," Nekhi explained.

 

The absence of basic safety infrastructure has compounded the problem. Vehicles have been forced to navigate the damaged section without adequate street lighting, warning signs, or protective barriers – conditions that local leaders described as life-threatening.

 

Panchayat representatives had threatened road blockades if repairs did not begin immediately, citing concerns about accidents and the impact on VIP travel between the airport and Itanagar.

 

The National Highways Authority of India had awarded the original contract to Bharat Constructions (India) Pvt Ltd in 2022 for comprehensive safety measures, including slope stabilisation, rockfall protection, and erosion control systems designed to address the challenging terrain.

 

The 61-kilometre highway, with 51 kilometres running through Arunachal Pradesh and 10 kilometers through Assam, represents a crucial transportation link that affects both daily commuters and the broader connectivity of the northeastern state.

 

Construction teams are now implementing soil nailing, rock bolting, protective netting, and enhanced drainage systems to prevent future damage during the region's extended monsoon season, which typically runs from March through October.

 

The repair initiative coincides with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu's activation of the state's disaster management protocols for the current monsoon period. District administrations have been instructed to monitor vulnerable areas and establish relief camps as part of comprehensive seasonal preparedness efforts.

 

The highway's restoration is expected to restore normal traffic flow and eliminate the safety risks that have endangered commuters throughout the extended delay period.

 

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