Itanagar, Feb 11: The Centre has yet again approved an allocation of Rs 2378.72 crore for the construction of two more sections of the National Highway-913 (Frontier Highway) spanning over 93 km in Arunachal Pradesh.
The mega project will be built in EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) mode.
“In Arunachal Pradesh, an allocation of Rs 2098.81 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of the Bomdila-Nafra-Lada Section (Package 2, 3) covering 78.3 kilometers and Rs 279.91 crore for the 15.4 kilometers long Lada-Sarli section (Package 7) of NH-913 (Frontier Highway) on EPC mode,” Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari stated in a social post on Sunday.
Earlier on February 6, Gadkari has approved the allocation of a sum of Rs 3,890.45 crore for construction of three sections of the NH-913, including Rs 2,248.94 crore for its Lada-Sarli section, spanning 105.59 km across Packages 1, 2, 4 & 6, Rs 1014.59 crore for the Kharsang-Miao-Vijaynagar-Gandhigram section, and Rs 626.92 crore for the Sarli-Huri section of NH-913 under Package-1.
The strategic development of this road aims to enhance connectivity to border areas, fostering socio-economic growth in the region. The Frontier Highway’s construction is anticipated to curb migration and facilitate reverse migration towards the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh, the Union Minister said.
Additionally, the advancement of this Frontier Highway segment will establish crucial road infrastructure connecting significant river basins, thereby enabling the development of numerous hydropower projects in the state, he said.
Notably, this predominantly greenfield road will link uninhabited, sparsely populated areas of Upper Arunachal, presenting significant potential for tourism. Furthermore, it is expected to accommodate a substantial increase in traffic due to the anticipated growth in tourism activities.
Meanwhile, expressing his delight over the development, Union Earth Sciences Minister and Arunachal Pradesh MP Kiren Rijiju wrote on X, “Another huge amount sanctioned for Frontier Highway- Nafra-Lada-Sarli segments of West Kameng - Bichom - East Kameng & Kurung Kumey Dists. It's one of most difficult & ambitious Highways granted by PM Narendra Modi ji for Arunachal Pradesh. My dream is becoming a reality!” (UNI)