Underlying the importance of Arunachal Pradesh as a border state, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul categorically said works related to road networking and its maintenance in all strategic areas of the state should be handed over to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
He stated this to the visiting Director General of Border Roads Lt General Suresh Sharma who called on him yesterday, an official release said here today.
"Our basic aim is to achieve basic minimum road communication in interior parts of our state and we are committed to build high class road infrastructure," Pul said during the meeting.
BRO has a dedicated workforce, resources and expertise that makes it as the most competent force that can work in any hard weather conditions and harsh terrain, the chief minister said.
Moreover, BRO is competent enough to address the local issues and problems that may arise from time to time -- since it has well network of command all over the state and in the country, he said.
Pul regretted the recent handover of major state highways to other agencies, which he observed have resulted in undue delay in completion of works.
He emphasised to push forward major strategic highways such as Roing-Anini, Tezu-Hawai and Joram-Koloriang to be taken up by BRO and said he was not aware that these highways were handed over to other agency.
He also insisted on BRO to take up other proposed highways, which were handed over to other agency and whose work is yet to begin.
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In many cases, he observed that work on one complete
stretch of road was being delayed since on single route different agencies were involved.
While certain lengths of the roads were on the verge of completion, the other section remained yet to be started, Pul said.
Considering such limitations arising due to piece-meal allocation of works to different agencies, the chief minister sensed that it created "lack of ownership" among the agencies for the road.
Also another challenge he cited was the maintenance of road.
Due to harsh weather conditions and difficult terrain, it is difficult to predict the durability and life of the road.
Under such condition, Pul strongly advocated that a dedicated workforce like BRO would be the ideal organisation capable enough to take up such challenge.
While discussing on issues relating to land acquisition, forest clearance, quarries for construction material, the chief minister assured his government's support on all level.
He agreed upon DGBR's proposal for conducting coordination meeting every month under Commissioner/Secretary PWD with nodal officers from BRO, concern district officer and officers from Highway department.
On the compensation row, Pul called for a uniform rate to be followed, the release added.
