KHONSA : A joint inspection team led by Khonsa East MLA Wanglam Sawin on Tuesday identified the old District and Sessions Court building as the proposed temporary site for relocating the Khonsa Post Office to facilitate construction of a diversion road at the road-damaged stretch near the existing post office.

The inspection was attended by Tirap Deputy Commissioner Badonlum Tawsik, Additional Deputy Commissioner Namneet Singh, Public Works Department Executive Engineer Taro Jeram, Postmaster Natmoi Wangno and public leader Wangpong Tangjang.

During the inspection, Sawin said the temporary relocation was necessary to ease the inconvenience faced by commuters due to the damaged road and to enable early construction of the diversion route for restoring smooth traffic movement.

DC Tawsik said the district administration has issued evacuation orders for residents living within the sinking zone as well as staff of the Khonsa Post Office in view of the prevailing disaster situation. He said the vacant former District and Sessions Court building would be renovated at the earliest to accommodate the post office and staff quarters.

He added that the temporary shift would facilitate construction of the alternative road, improving connectivity to Lazu and Tutnu blocks, Kheti, Thinsa and Lapnan villages, besides ensuring uninterrupted access to the Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services (APSTS) bus station, 36 Battalion Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 44 Assam Rifles and Government Higher Secondary School, Khonsa.

Executive Engineer Jeram said the proposed diversion road would be about 200 metres long and involve full-scale construction. Subject to the required government approvals, the work is expected to be completed within two weeks.

Postmaster Wangno said approval from the Office of the Chief Postmaster General through the competent postal authorities is awaited for shifting the post office. He added that the Department of Posts has no objection to the temporary relocation once the proposed building is renovated and made fit for occupation.

The temporary relocation of the Khonsa Post Office and construction of the diversion road are expected to provide immediate relief to commuters while ensuring uninterrupted postal services during the restoration of the damaged road. (DIPR)