Our Correspondent
Itanagar: The denizens of Itanagar have been seeking blessings of the rain god to end its annual shower for smooth construction of the ongoing four-lanning of NH 415 by the executing agency and smooth traffic movement.
Most of the commuters riding two wheelers spoil their cloths and also forced to divert through Jully road and vice-versa in between Itanagar-Naharlagun because the highway has turned totally muddy and horrible making it vulnerable to accident.
The commuters have been undergoing untold suffering including wastage of time.
“Chief Minister Pema Khandu who had recently appointed a high level officer to monitor day-to-day work progress of the road is giving a ray of hope,” said a PhD scholar travelling on a bike.
A woman on a self-driven car said that going to Itanagar office from Naharlagun daily is a tough challenge for her and every day she had to start at around 8 am, otherwise she would be late in reaching office.
“There are many important work at home like sending off the children to school and giving breakfast to other family members which I deliberately avoid,” she said and hoped that TK Engineering Consortium Pvt Ltd (TKE) might put its best efforts to develop the highway with quality works to set an example for the citizens.
Transporting his merchandise in a trekker, a shopkeeper said that it is a daily phenomenon for the traders to face and hoped that the highway would be completed soon.
Though the Capital Complex district administration was earlier busy about city road but the present administration actions are not visible, an educated youth said. He attributed the administration’s lack of seriousness to such snail speed progress.
“The TKE being a renowned firm should reflect its capability to accomplish the work with quality to show an example for others to emulate,” he added.
The construction from Chandananager-Papu Nallah by the construction firm is in progress and being monitored by the chief minister office, PWD (highway) Chief Engineer Toli Basar said.
“We have been reviewing the work progress on monthly basis. The completion target is 2020 as per EPC agreement but the built up area may be completed by October as per the commissioner. Independent engineers are also monitoring. Few issues, liking shifting public utility are still pending and we have discussed with the DC to act promptly,” Basar said.
Meanwhile, instructions have been given to fill up potholes on Capital Complex for smooth ride by the commuters, Basar added.
Expressing his deeply concern for the road users who are facing lot of difficulties, Nirjuli Highway division executive engineer Nani Tath said that the work progress is underway and the firm has been given target. If they fail we may take action. We are also hopeful that the work would be completed as promised.
Also Read: NH 415 to be reopened in 2 days