Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Apr 29: The Kra-Daadi Frontier Highway Monitoring Committee has urged the state government to intervene and prevent back-to-back (subcontract) awarding of work under Package-3 of the Frontier Highway project (NH-913) in Kra-Daadi district.
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club, Committee chairman Tame Tagru said that while tenders for most packages under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have been opened, the committee strongly opposes the inclusion of Package-3 covering the Huri–Taliha stretch (KM 55.725 to KM 113.25) if subcontracting is allowed.
He informed that Ceigall India Limited has emerged as the lowest bidder (L1), quoting around Rs 525 crore against the estimated cost of Rs 821.29 crore—about 36 percent lower. While welcoming the principal contractor, the committee raised serious concerns over possible subcontracting, warning it could lead to irregularities and substandard work.
Citing past examples such as the delayed Naharlagun–Banderdewa highway project, the committee alleged that similar practices have affected project quality and timelines in the state.
The members argued that local contractors and residents are better equipped to handle the region’s challenging terrain, rivers, and weather conditions. They questioned the feasibility of executing the project at significantly reduced costs and warned that such arrangements could compromise transparency and deny rightful execution to competent contractors.
Stressing the strategic importance of Arunachal Pradesh as a border state, the committee said that while substantial funds are allocated for infrastructure, benefits often fail to reach the grassroots level.
The committee made it clear that it would oppose any agreement involving subcontracting beyond the principal firm and appealed to the state government and concerned authorities to ensure transparency and quality in the execution of the Frontier Highway project.