Arunachal Government’s Bold Move: Terminating Naharlagun Highway Contract Amid Frustration Over Repeated Delays
Commuters on the Naharlagun highway are bearing the brunt of an ongoing delay in the much-anticipated four-lane highway project, a crucial segment of National Highway 415. The project, spanning an 11-kilometer stretch, has experienced multiple inefficiencies and missed milestones, prompting the Arunachal Pradesh government to cancel the contract for Package B. This decision comes after the executing firm failed to meet the project’s deadlines.
The highway project forms part of a Rs 341 crore initiative, initially awarded to Orissa-based Woodhill Shivam, with a completion target set for December 2023. A key component of this project involves a 3.9 km two-lane flyover. However, due to significant delays, only a small portion of the work is complete. The subcontractor, TK Engineering Consortium Pvt Ltd, shouldered the blame for the setback, having been hired by Woodhill Shivam for execution.
In response to these ongoing issues, Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced the removal of TK Engineering Consortium, confirming that a new contractor would take over the project. The Public Works Department (PWD) had earlier issued a termination notice to the subcontractor due to their failure to achieve the required milestones. This decision traces back to a promise made by CM Khandu in March 2021, where he pledged to resign if the road did not meet completion by the year’s end. Despite the added complications of the COVID-19 pandemic, which hampered construction efforts globally, Khandu’s commitment remains unfulfilled.
The project, designed to enhance connectivity between Naharlagun and Itanagar, has now faced over three years of delays. Spread across three packages, the highway project has seen near completion for Packages A and C, but Package B confronts persistent hurdles. This prolonged delay is particularly troubling for Naharlagun residents, who are likely to endure poor road conditions for an estimated additional two years.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/arunachal-pradesh/video/arunachal-government-to-terminate-naharlagun-highway-contract-after-repeated-delays-1118336-2024-11-09?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2024-11-09 21:09:00
