A CORRESPONDENT
SOPO (ITANAGAR): Arunachal RWD (Rural Works Development) Minister Honchun Ngandam along with Doimukh local MLA Tana Hali Tara visited the under construction steel-arch bridge over Pare River here in Papum Pare district and took stock of the work progress of the bridge. The bridge will connect the village of Sopo on the Doimukh-Hoj Road with Lekhi on the Doimukh-Kimin Road in Doimukh Circle.
The visit took place just days after MLA Hali raised concern over the lack of progress of the bridge in the recently concluded Assembly session and the Minister also assured the House that he will inspect the work progress by visiting the site.
Minister Ngandam took a review of the progress of work wherein DC Papum Pare Pige Ligu, SP Dr Neelam Nega, RWD Executive Engineer Techi Jobae and representative of contractor Tama Fabrication attended.
Later talking to the media, the Minister said that the major issues creating obstacles in the bridge construction have been resolved. "The local MLA and Executive Engineer RWD will ensure that the approach road is constructed within a week so that the bridge-construction work can start. Contractor Tama Fabrication will start launching work of the super structure by next week. The launching work should be completed by March last," said Minister Ngandam.
He also said that permanent cement concrete (CC) roads will have to be constructed on both the sides of approach to the bridge. "We will appeal to the government for funding work on the approach roads in the future. Along with local MLA Hali, I will brief the Chief Minister and also the Deputy Chief Minister about the progress of bridge work," he added.
He also informed that the State government has released full amount of the State's matching share of Rs 316 lakh for the bridge work.
"The total cost of the bridge is Rs 789.09 lakh. The share of NEEPCO is Rs 473.09 lakh; and so far, they have released Rs 142 lakh. They are yet to release the balance amount of Rs 331.09 lakh," added Minister Ngandam.
Local MLA Tana Hali Tara expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the visit by the RWD Minister. "I trust the commitment made by my government. Connectivity is my agenda and I will continue to make an effort to improve connectivity in my Constituency," said Hali.
It is to be mentioned that most of bridge materials have already reached the site while the abutment is also completed.