Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, OCT 10:
The Public Works Department (PWD), Highway Zone, has appealed to the organisers and concerned members of the public to call off the proposed protest rally scheduled for October 13 over the poor condition of the Itanagar–Banderdewa stretch of NH-415, citing ongoing repair works and a time-bound commitment by the maintenance contractor.
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) here on Saturday, Chief Engineer (Highway Zone), PWD, C.S. Choutang acknowledged the inconvenience faced by commuters due to the deteriorating road condition and assured that all possible measures were being taken to restore trafficability on a priority basis.
Choutang stated that the four-laning project of NH-415 Package-B, covering 11.305 km, was awarded to M/s Woodhill-Shivam (JV). However, the contract was terminated on April 29, 2026, due to unsatisfactory performance and failure to fulfill contractual obligations, with physical progress recorded at 51.37 per cent.
He said the prolonged monsoon, heavy rainfall, waterlogging, mudslides and deterioration of the road surface had further aggravated the situation, posing challenges to maintenance operations.
Regarding the completion of the remaining project works, Choutang informed that a revised estimate of Rs 303.64 crore, including additional items, was submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on August 28, 2026. The proposal is currently under the ministry’s review for approval and further action.
Meanwhile, the department has undertaken emergency maintenance works, including pothole filling, patch repairs, clearance of landslides and cleaning of blocked drains, to facilitate the safe movement of traffic, the chief engineer said.
The department also initiated pavement repairs on critically damaged stretches using the State Plan Fund as an interim arrangement. Subsequently, following approval from MoRTH and completion of the tendering process, a Short-Term Maintenance Contract (STMC) was awarded to M/s Aakshaya Infra Project Pvt Ltd, with work commencing on August 8, 2026.
The contract covers approximately 21,000 square metres of pothole and patch repairs, along with drain clearance and other maintenance works. Of this, around 7,000 square metres of pavement repairs have been completed, while work on the remaining stretches is in progress.
Choutang further stated that, during a review meeting held on October 8, the STMC contractor committed to completing the remaining pothole and patch repairs within two weeks. The department is closely monitoring the work and has directed the concerned officials and executing agency to prioritise critical locations and deploy adequate resources.
He also informed that the matter concerning NH-415 Package-B is being monitored by the Gauhati High Court’s Itanagar Permanent Bench through PIL No. 11/2024.
Appealing for public cooperation, the department said it understood the concerns and grievances of commuters but urged the public to consider the exceptional circumstances arising from the termination of the original contract, the procedures involved in arranging fresh works and the challenges posed by the prolonged monsoon.
In view of the ongoing emergency repairs and the contractor’s commitment, the department requested the organisers to reconsider their decision and call off the proposed October 13 rally to enable the uninterrupted execution of maintenance works.
The department reiterated its commitment to restoring satisfactory road conditions at the earliest and completing the remaining project works in accordance with prescribed procedures.
