ITANAGAR, Oct 10: The Public Works Department (PWD), Highway Zone, has assured that ongoing pothole and patch repair works along the Itanagar-Banderdewa stretch of NH-415 (Package-B) will be expedited and the remaining repairs completed within two weeks, while appealing to organisers to call off the proposed protest rally scheduled for October 13.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Chief Engineer (Highways) acknowledged the poor road conditions and the inconvenience faced by commuters and residents, assuring that all possible measures were being taken to restore trafficability on an urgent and priority basis.
The 11.305-km four-laning project of NH-415 Package-B was awarded to M/s Woodhill-Shivam (JV). However, the contract was terminated on April 29, 2026, following persistent unsatisfactory performance and failure to fulfil contractual obligations despite repeated notices and opportunities. Physical progress stood at 51.37 per cent at the time of termination.
The department said it subsequently faced the twin challenges of maintaining the existing road and initiating procedures for completing the balance construction work. The prolonged and intense monsoon, accompanied by heavy rainfall, waterlogging and mudslides, further worsened road conditions and hampered maintenance operations.
For completion of the remaining works, the department submitted a revised estimate of Rs 303.64 crore to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on August 28. The proposal is currently under the ministry's consideration.
Meanwhile, the department has undertaken emergency maintenance measures, including pothole filling, patch repairs, clearance of landslides and blocked drains. It also initiated pavement repairs at critically damaged stretches using State Plan funds as an interim arrangement while pursuing a Short-Term Maintenance Contract (STMC) with the ministry.
Following the ministry's approval and completion of the tendering process, the STMC work was awarded to M/s Aakshaya Infra Project Pvt Ltd, and maintenance began on August 8. The contract covers around 21,000 sq mtrs of pothole and patch repairs, besides drain clearance and other associated maintenance works. Approximately 7,000 sq mtrs of pavement repairs have been completed, while work on the remaining stretches is in progress.
During a review meeting on October 8, the contractor committed to completing the remaining pothole and patch repairs within two weeks. The department said it was closely monitoring the work and had directed field officers and the executing agency to deploy adequate resources and prioritise critically damaged stretches.
The department also stated that NH-415 Package-B was under the continuing monitoring of the Gauhati High Court's Itanagar Permanent Bench through PIL No. 11/2024, and assured that it would comply with the court's directions.
Acknowledging public concerns over the condition of the highway, which serves as a vital connectivity corridor for the capital region, the department appealed to the organisers and concerned citizens to reconsider and call off the October 13 protest rally in view of the repair work already underway and the contractor's time-bound commitment. It said it respected the public's concerns and democratic rights and remained open to constructive dialogue and suggestions.