Staff Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Oct 13 : After a day-long protest rally, the Public Rights Action Committee (PRAC) has claimed a major victory after the Public Works Department (PWD) reportedly accepted several of its demands concerning road maintenance, pothole repairs, dust control, pedestrian safety and traffic management in the capital region.
Addressing supporters, the committee’s chairman Takam Sonia announced that the department had provided written assurances on key demands, including regular maintenance of Package-B roads until the next tender is awarded. The committee said the assurances came following its sustained campaign highlighting public grievances over deteriorating road conditions and traffic-related problems.
According to the chairman, the PWD has assured the committee that potholes and other road-related problems will be addressed through regular maintenance until the new tender process is completed. The department has also reportedly committed to taking measures to control dust along roads, including sprinkling water where necessary, to reduce inconvenience and potential health risks for commuters and pedestrians.
The committee stressed that road maintenance must be carried out consistently rather than only when public protests are organised. It also urged citizens to photograph potholes and dusty road stretches and report them through social media, news channels or the committee so that the concerned authorities can be held accountable.
Another significant demand concerned the construction of mandatory footpaths in future road projects to improve pedestrian safety in the congested capital region. The committee said the PWD had agreed to incorporate footpaths into upcoming tenders, allowing pedestrians to walk more safely without having to compete with vehicles on busy roads.
Sonia further stated that the committee had received assurances regarding the prevention of unnecessary obstructions on highways, particularly during festivals, political rallies and visits by prominent political leaders.
According to the committee, Superintendent of Police Neelam Nega assured that the matter would be discussed with the Deputy Commissioner for issuance of an appropriate order. The committee maintained that traffic regulations must apply equally to all political parties and individuals, regardless of their position, and that roadside parking must not obstruct the free movement of vehicles.
While welcoming the assurances, the committee issued a stern warning to contractors and concerned PWD officials over the condition of roads leading to Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) through Doimukh.
PRAC reportedly gave the concerned authorities a seven-day deadline to begin addressing the road conditions, emphasising that students, schoolchildren, patients and other commuters should not continue to suffer because of poor maintenance.
The committee also set a similar deadline for the road connecting the Yupia tri-junction with Doimukh and routes serving areas towards Kimin, Kurung Kumey, Seppa, Tawang and other destinations.
It said contractors must fulfil their obligations wherever maintenance periods remain in force, while the department must take responsibility for repairs where contractual maintenance periods have expired.
Despite welcoming the written assurances, the committee warned that it would not hesitate to launch another agitation if the department failed to honour its commitments.

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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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