"CM Khandu Reveals Plans for Frontier Highway Along Arunachal's LAC"

In a major infrastructure development, the Arunachal Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, has announced plans to build a 1,500 km-long road, aptly named the "Frontier Highway." This ambitious project aims to connect remote regions of the state and run along the India-Tibet-China-Myanmar border, with the road positioned as close as 20 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and international borders.

Chief Minister Khandu emphasized the strategic significance of the Frontier Highway, stating, "The frontier highway has a huge strategic value. It will bring transformational changes in road connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh. This will be beneficial for the Army too."

The proposed route for the Frontier Highway begins in Bomdila and traverses through Nafra, Huri, and Monigong, which are in proximity to the LAC or the McMahon Line, ultimately concluding near Vijaynagar, close to the India-Myanmar border. This ambitious project will facilitate connectivity to several key locations, including Tawang, Mago Upper Subansiri, Upper Siang, Mechuka, Tuting, Dibang Valley, Kibithoo, Changlang, and Dong.

Furthermore, the road will integrate with the ongoing Trans-Arunachal Highway project, a two-way national highway extending approximately 1,811 km from Tawang in the northwest to Kanubari in the southeast, linking with NH-52 near Akajan, close to the Bogibeel bridge near Dibrugarh in Assam.

CM Khandu believes that the completion of the Frontier Highway will curb migration from border areas and foster development in remote regions of the state. The project envisions an investment of approximately Rs 40,000 crore.

The proposed Frontier Highway will pass near Yangtse, where Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops had intruded on December 9th of the previous year. The project aims to enhance connectivity to the state capital, as well as key areas with high population density and economic activities, including major hydroelectric power project sites.

Additionally, the state government plans to construct an additional 1,000 km of roads to connect district headquarters, important locations, and select villages, ensuring seamless movement of armed forces and equipment to border areas. This comprehensive infrastructure initiative is set to transform transportation and connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh, opening new avenues for development and security in the region.

ET