Residents of Anini, the scenic headquarters of Dibang Valley district near the Indo-China border, are threatening to initiate a democratic protest due to the prolonged delay in the construction of the Greenfield National Highway-313. This vital road project is meant to connect Roing to Anini via Hunli, covering a 74-kilometer stretch managed by PH Construction, which has remained incomplete for nearly eight years, leading to escalating public frustration.
Anini is recognized as a potential global tourism hub, yet it suffers from poor road connectivity. Currently, commuters must navigate the hazardous Mayudia Pass, which stretches about 228 kilometers from Roing to Anini and takes six to seven hours to cross, hampered by bad road conditions, unexpected closures, and ongoing construction work. This route often experiences snowfall, complicating travel not only for locals and tourists but also for the Indian Army, as it is crucial for strategic movements near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The demand for expedited completion of the NH-313 Greenfield corridor has gained urgency, particularly as Anini gears up to host the Reh Festival of the Idu Mishmi community starting February 1. A cabinet meeting is also scheduled in the district prior to the festival, heightening public expectations for better connectivity.
In an interview with India Today, Dipen Molo, president of the BJP Dibang Valley district, emphasized that road communication serves as the “mother of all development.” He criticized construction agencies GR Infra and Puna Hinda Construction for their significant delays, asserting that the project, initiated in 2018, is unlikely to meet its deadlines by 2026, which severely impedes the development and tourism potential of this border district. Molo noted that the Greenfield stretch was intended to bypass the perilous Mayudia route; however, crucial segments still remain unfinished.
He specifically pointed out the delay in construction between the 16-kilometer mark from Roing and the 17-kilometer point from Hunli, where work on a new bridge over the Ithun River is incomplete. This unfinished bridge represents a critical bottleneck, preventing the effective use of the alternative route to Anini.
Local residents and tourism stakeholders have accused the government of inaction, alleging that it has failed to hold the non-compliant construction agencies accountable, despite the highway’s strategic and economic significance.
Deputy Commissioner Bekir Nyorak, while hesitant to speak on camera, claimed that approximately 70 percent of the Greenfield NH-313 project is completed. He explained that natural disasters have affected the project timeline, according to contractors, but assured that thorough inspections would be conducted, and necessary directives would be issued to hasten the completion of the delayed work.
With public patience dwindling, Anini’s residents have warned that they will resort to peaceful protests if immediate action is not taken to expedite the construction of the crucial highway, which is viewed as a lifeline for development, tourism, and national security in Arunachal Pradesh’s eastern frontier.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/arunachal-pradesh/video/eight-year-delay-in-strategic-nh-313-road-sparks-protest-threat-in-arunachals-anini-near-indo-china-border-1334142-2026-01-20?utm_source=rssfeed
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-01-20 19:45:00
