Thisstrategic Indian corridoris not only needed bythe locals

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The partial closure of a key highway in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, connecting crucial Indo-China border towns, has caused severe inconvenience to locals and tourists alike
The displacement that was caused by a huge landslide in Mompani on 2nd April initially isolated the region
Although the road was temporarily opened in June, frequent and unscheduled closures due to continuing construction of a new route by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) have stranded commuters for several hours at a time-without access to food, water or medical care

Commuters have reported being stuck in long queues with children and elderly passengers amid worsening road conditions and lack of basic amenities

Digital Desk: The partial closure of a key highway in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, connecting crucial Indo-China border towns, has caused severe inconvenience to locals and tourists alike. The displacement that was caused by a huge landslide in Mompani on 2^nd April initially isolated the region. Although the road was temporarily opened in June, frequent and unscheduled closures due to continuing construction of a new route by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) have stranded commuters for several hours at a time-without access to food, water or medical care.

This strategic Indian corridor is not only needed by the locals of Anjaw district, but also by the Indian Army at the Line of actual control (LAC). It joins strategic frontier points like Walong, Kibithu and the Dong Valley, which is the eastern most sunrise point of India. Tourists and locals have asked NHIDCL to speed up restoration work and publicize clear closure timelines so they are not unduly victimized.

Commuters have reported being stuck in long queues with children and elderly passengers amid worsening road conditions and lack of basic amenities. Manno Kojin, the Anjaw Deputy Commissioner, has issued a traffic advisory citing on-going work, but acknowledged such work being delayed by landslides, heavy rainfall and unstable terrain.

Last week, Lohit DC K.N. Damo was inspecting the Tezu-Mompani stretch when he criticized the situation that there was no debris clearance and stressed that NHIDCL needs to help in making safer, cleaner roads. The Tezu-Mompani road forms a critical link in the 2,407-km Trans-Arunachal Highway (NH-13), announced in 2008 to strengthen border infrastructure.

Local MLA and Minister Dasanglu Pul confirmed that a semi-permanent alternate route is under construction to ensure all-weather access. However, as long as commuters insist on improved coordination, timely updates and more expedited execution processes on the side of the authorities to renew normalcy in this sensitive border region.