Arunachal: Likabali town gets infrastructure boost with Rs 22 crore road project

In a significant push to enhance infrastructure and promote tourism, Likabali town—the headquarters of Lower Siang district and a key foothill town along the Mechuka–Aalo–Basar corridor—has received a Rs 22 crore facelift through a 7.5 km Cement Concrete (CC) road project under the Chief Minister Comprehensive State Road Development Plan (CMCSRDP-II).

Situated on the Assam-Arunachal border near Silapathar, Likabali plays a crucial role as a gateway to several interior regions of Arunachal Pradesh. The improved infrastructure is expected to boost local connectivity and draw more visitors to prominent heritage sites, including the ancient Malinithan Temple, linked to the legends of Rukmini and Lord Krishna, and Akasi Ganga, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site located just 6 km from the town.

The ₹21.88 crore project, awarded to M/s Lokam Ane Enterprises through tender, is being executed by the Public Works Department (PWD). Speaking to India Today, Yumri Dini, the PWD Junior Engineer overseeing the project, said that the CC pavement road spans several key areas of the township—from the police station and market areas to the mission schools, badminton court, GREF road, and the Saturday market, extending to the vicinity of the newly constructed district hospital.

“We’re working under challenging conditions due to persistent rainfall, which limits our daily operations. However, we ensure strict quality control, including 3 cm concrete thickness, usage of 24 cement bags per batch, and regular staff monitoring. The curing process includes watering for 14 days, with water tanks deployed on-site,” said Dini.

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The road is designed to be 5.5 meters wide, with 0.75-meter shoulders on both sides and 6-meter drainage lines. The drainage work near the district hospital posed initial hurdles, but PWD teams are addressing them to keep the work on track.

The project’s timeline spans four years, with a completion target set for 2029. The recent completion of the Malinithan road last year has already helped improve access to the revered temple, setting the stage for further development in the region.

Likabali, which became the headquarters of the newly formed Lower Siang district in 2018, is home to the indigenous Galo tribe and comprises seven administrative circles—Koyu-Kora, Nari, Seren, Gensi, Sibe, Kangku, and Likabali. With enhanced road connectivity, the town is poised to become a vital hub of cultural tourism and administrative outreach in western Arunachal Pradesh.