8th Nov 2017 10:11:PM Editorials
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

For compensation issues the important Trans-Arunachal Highway seems to be stuck in a rut. In a move which may come as a major setback for the state, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is planning to terminate the 407 km Potin to Pangin road project as the authorities concerned have been unable to provide the required land for the project.

Among the major hindrances in the path of development of the state, the tall compensation claims has emerged as one of the biggest deterrent. Shortsightedness of the land donors has been responsible for derailing and inordinate delays of several important projects. Of late it has become a fashion statement to crave for extrapolated claims including inflated or forged claims.            

Very unfortunate is the fact that not more than 100 km of the 2,400-km Trans-Arunachal Highway announced under the Prime Minister’s package had been completed till 2013. Give or take, till early part of 2016 not more than another 100 kms were added. The delay in execution of the project of strategic importance has been attributed to hurdles faced in supply of materials due to adverse weather condition and bottlenecks in land acquisition. Similar is the fate of the Greenfield Airport.  It is estimated that the airport at Hollongi would cost about Rs 1,150 crore of which land compensation would be about Rs 500 crore. This is being cited as a major reason for the project not taking off despite passage of a decade.

  Land donations for development must not be gauged from financial point of view but rather individuals must volunteer at humble rates. Many educational institutions across the state like the RKM School Aalo, Deomali and RK Sharada Mission and others have been instrumental in ushering the state into an era of knowledge and literacy. These institutes became the cradle for generations of bureaucrats and technocrats for decades together. It is learnt that even in Dirang valley, locals have donated free land for setting up of another RK Sharada Mission to spread modern education.

 Land holdings are dear to local Arunachalese and while compensation claim is their right, there is a need to be conscientious while demanding unrealistic sums. Point being driven home is, locals must overlook personal gains for the overall benefit of society.


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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