Itanagar, Feb 21: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday announced that the Frontier Highway, to be built at an estimated cost of ?42,000 crore, will significantly transform the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
Speaking at the 39th Statehood Day celebrations at IG Park here, the Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs minister said this is the highest allocation ever made by the Centre for a single project in the country.
“The Frontier Highway is going to be the largest road project in the history of India. It is going to be around 1,400 kilometres long, and close to ?42,000 crore will be invested. It is going to transform the border areas of the state,” he said.
However, Rijiju expressed concern over potential hurdles due to compensation issues.
“My appeal to the people is, please don’t try to inflate bills to claim compensation. Don’t create obstructions. If a land issue comes up, it will delay projects like the Trans-Arunachal Highway,” he added.
He also mentioned that the East-West Corridor, also known as the Industrial Corridor and one of his key projects, is facing delays due to compensation and forest clearance issues.
The Frontier Highway is considered a strategic move to counter China's aggression in Arunachal Pradesh while also boosting socio-economic development in the state. The road will be constructed along the India-Tibet-China-Myanmar border, running as close as 20 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and international borders.
It will start from Bomdila and pass through Nafra, Huri, and Monigong before concluding in Vijaynagar near the India-Myanmar border.
Rijiju highlighted that before 2014, securing allocations for a single project was difficult, but after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office, the situation changed.
“The prime minister’s focus is on northeast development, and he instructed all ministers from day one to visit northeastern states every 15 days to understand their problems and act accordingly,” Rijiju said.
He added that the government prioritises serving the country over enjoying power and stressed the importance of clean politics for effective governance.
The minister also emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence among different communities for the state's progress.
“Arunachal is the most resourceful state in the country, but for development, peace is a prerequisite,” he said.
Reflecting on the state’s journey from a union territory to a full-fledged state, Rijiju credited all former chief ministers for their contributions in making it possible. PTI