ITANAGAR: The Centre has sanctioned Rs 1782 crore for the construction of an 82 km greenfield road from Pango to Jorging in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The announcement, made by Road, Transport, and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari on January 9, aims to establish seamless and secure traffic flow, ensuring year-round connectivity to the villages in the region.
“The initiative encompasses Package-I and Package-II,” he said, in a post on social media.
The project is part of a broader initiative to enhance road networks in the state, including the ambitious Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) and other inter-corridors, with an estimated overall expenditure of approximately Rs 40,000 crore.
The Panjgo-Jorging Road sanction follows the Centre’s approval of seven crucial bridge projects in Arunachal Pradesh in October.
Union Minister Gadkari, through the Setu Bandhan Scheme, had granted approval for these projects with a cumulative cost of Rs 118.50 crores in the fiscal year 2023-24.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Pango-to-Jorging Road, Gadkari mentioned that once completed, it would significantly reduce travel time for security forces.
“This strategically crucial road will substantially reduce travel time for the security forces, enhancing their efficiency in reaching borders,” he mentioned
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu had previously outlined the state’s plans to construct road infrastructure to facilitate the movement of the armed forces.
In October, Chief Minister Khandu had revealed preparations are underway to construct an additional 1,000 km of roads connecting district headquarters, key locations, and villages to facilitate the movement of armed forces and equipment to border areas.
He had also shared with the press about the vision for a transformative 1,500 km-long Frontier Highway, running parallel to the India-Tibet-China-Myanmar border.
Situated just 20 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and international borders, this “futuristic highway” holds immense strategic significance, especially for the Indian Army, he had said.
