Union Road Transport minister relaxes norms for N-E states

Union Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari has consented to relax norms for the North Eastern states, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, to promote less experienced contractors for executing the Trans-Arunachal Highway project.
Gadkari's assurance came during a meeting when Arunachal Pradesh PWD Minister Gojen Gadi called on him in his New Delhi office yesterday and pointed out that the local Arunachalee contractors were feeling neglected on being deprived of any contract because of the new central guideline, especially at a time when the state is witnessing massive road development.
The Arunachal Pradesh minister said Gadkari, however, clarified that the ongoing work should be completed immediately and rest would be divided into small packages to suit the relaxed norms and the local contractors would be trained during a workshop by the ministry's engineers at Itanagar in January next to follow the central guidelines.

Those Arunachalee contractors qualifying for any work on sole condition of maintaining the quality of work would be given 10 per cent advance to procure equipment for the job, Gadi said.
During threadbare discussion on road sector, Gadi submitted the proposal for survey and investigation of the proposed 2000-km Tawang-Vijoynagar road along the MacMohan line and Rs 8 crore for the proposed 431 km East West Highway from Bhalukpong to Ruksin.
Both the ambitious projects have been proposed by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who has been taking keen interest in their early execution.
The minister assured all possible help for both the projects, Gadi said.

The Union minister also consented to sanction 75 per cent of Rs 15 crore for improving the Itanagar- Banderdwa road during this fiscal, Gadi said, adding that tender for the purpose would be floated soon.