Trans-Arunachal Highway

Trans-Arunachal Highway
Route information
Length2,407 km (1,496 mi)
Major junctions
FromTawang, Arunachal Pradesh
ToAkro, Assam
Location
CountryIndia
StatesArunachal Pradesh
Highway system

The Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH), which includes an existing 1,811 km (1,125 mi) route comprising NH-13 (1,559 km (969 mi)) and parts of NH-15 (80 km (50 mi)), NH-215 (30 km (19 mi)) and SH-25, is an under-construction 2-lane more than 2,407 km (1,496 mi) long highway passing through 16 districts in Arunachal Pradesh state in India. It runs from LAC in Tawang in northwest to Kanubari in southeast at the tri-junction of Assam-Nagaland-Arunachal Pradesh. It connects at least 16 districts of Arunachal Pradesh.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

The Trans-Arunachal Highway, passing through the entire length of the state, roughly divides Arunachal Pradesh state in two parts - the upper two-third in north and east and lower one-third. At least 1811 km route already exists as national highway, and remaining are either greenfield or an upgrade of existing routes to national highway standard. It starts from India's north most military post (north of Hathung La Ridge) in Tawang district, goes via Zemithang, Tawang, Bomdila, Nechipu, Seppa, Sagalee, Yupia, Yazali, Ziro, Daporijo, Aalo, Pasighat, southern part of Dibang Valley district, Lohit, Roing, Tezu, Mahadevpur, Bordumsa, Namchik, Changlang, Khonsa, Longding, and ends at Kanubari.[1][7]

The Trans-Arunachal Highway greatly helps in reducing isolation of the people by connecting the district headquarters, major hydro electric power projects and other important places.[1] Trans-Arunachal Highway, along with the under-construction Arunachal East-West Corridor across the lower foothills inside Arunachal Pradesh along the Assam border and the proposed Arunachal Frontier Highway along the China border, are important enablers of Northeast development and India's Look East connectivity strategy.[8] This strategically important highway network enhances Indian military's capabilities in combating the threat of China's Western Theater Command opposite India's eastern sector of Line of Actual Control.

In October 2022, 1,458 km long route was complete and already operational.[9] TAH, from Tawang to Kanubari in Longding district has a target completion date of March 2024.[10]

History

In January 2008, the project was announced by then Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh.[10]

Construction agencies

Following follow agencies are responsible for the construction of TAH in several packages.

Project details

Route: existing

  • NH-13
    • Tawang-Dirang-Bomdila-Rupa-Nechiphu-Seppa: Sela Tunnel, with target completion by 2023, will provide shorter all-weather alternative connectivity.[11][12]
      • Rupa-Bhutan border: must be upgraded as an additional project NH-13- Shergaon-Samteng-Sumdrung, then greenfield to Bhutan border.
    • Seppa-Pakke-Kessang-Yachuli:
      • A shorter direct Seppa-Mengio HQ- Meomey Sullong-Ziro spur must be constructed as an additional project.
  • NH-315
    • Jairampur-Tikhak Taipi:
  • NH-?
    • Tikhak Taipi-Manmao-Rima-Changlang: being upgraded.

Future extensions

Following extensions are needed to optimise the connectivity with the neighboring states and beyond, as these extensions will enable the larger national strategic objectives including eliminating the vulnerability of Siliguri Corridor.

  • Tuting-Moreh Highway: Tuting-Pango-Payum-Silapathar-Bogibeel-Tuli-Tuensang-Ukhrul-Nambashi-Yongkhul-Keipham-Khudengthabi:
    • From Tuting in Arunachal to Bogibeel Bridge to Tuli (Nagaland): via Lezai Miri Pathergam, Naharani on NH-2, Hati Barua and Charimuthia Gaon to Changdhore.
    • Changdhore-Lahon-Yaongyimsen: greenfield.
    • Ladaihgarh to Tuli: brownfield.
    • Zunheboto-Jessami: greenfield upgrade.
    • Jorcheng-Shirui Ching-Wuyakachui: greenfield upgrade.
    • Wuyakachi-Ningchou: brownfield upgrade
    • Ningchou-Nh102A Khonglo: greenfield.
  • Sumdrung in Arunachal - Kangpar-Pasapu-Narpu in Bhutan
    • Arunachal-Sikkim via Bhutan: Narpu-Galechugaon-Darphu-Chukka-Dengna-Dorokha - Rango Forest on India-Bhutan border, to NH-717A at beginning of SH-12
    • SH-12: Upgrade from Bhutan border to Nepal border at Mana Bhanjang.
    • Nepal-India connectivity: Mana Bhanjang on Nepal-West Bengal border to Gooduk (upgrade existing), Damak (greenfield), to Chichhora (upgrade existing F02) on Nepal-Bihar border.
    • Bihar connectivity: upgrade existing SH-99 Chichhora-Jogihat-Baisi to NH-29.

Six Inter-corridor highways

Main article: Six Arunachal Frontier Inter-corridor highways

To providing missing interconnectivity between three horizontal national highways across Arunachal Pradesh - Frontier Highway, Trans-Arunachal Highway and East-West Industrial Corridor Highway - following six vertical and diagonal national highway corridors of total 2178 km length will be built, which will also provide faster access to geostrategically important areas on India-China LAC.[13][14]

See the following, listed west to east:

Tourism

See also: Tourism in Northeast India and Tourism in Northeast India
  • Swadesh Darshan Tourist Circuits along the highways in Arunachal: In 2015 under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the Indian approved the funds to develop the following two tourist circuits in Arunachal Pradesh:[15]
    • "Bhalukpong-Bomdila-Tawang Tourist Circuit" along the Arunachal Frontier Highway at the cost of ₹49.77 crore: The "facilities like accommodation, cafeteria, wayside amenities, last mile connectivity, pathways, toilet were built at Sorang Monastery, Lumpo, Zemithang, Bumla Pass, Gritsang, TSO lake, PTSO Lake, Thingbu and Grenkha Hot Spring, Lumla, Sela Lake." A multipurpose hall was built at Jang.[15]
    • "Nafra-Seppa-Pappu-Pasa-Pakke Valleys-Sangdupota-New Sagalee-Ziro-Yomcha Tourist Circuit" along the Trans-Arunachal Highway at the cost of ₹97.14 crores: The "helipad, wayside amenities, trekking trails, rafting centre, log huts, craft bazaar, eco park, tourist facilitation centres, parking, multipurpose Hall, festival ground etc." were built.[15]

Current status

  • 2018 Feb: ₹100,000 million (US$1.2 billion) Tawang to Wakro NH-13 became operational in 2018 when 6.2 km long Dibang River Bridge was completed across Dibang River.[16][17] This completion of entire NH-13, partially completes the route for Trans-Arunachal Highway.
  • 2021 Aug: TAH, from Tawang to Kanubari, is being constructed by 4 entities: Arunachal Pradesh state PWD (APPWD), BRO, MoRTH, and NHIDCL. Of the 978 km allocated to APPWD, 394.59 km is already complete and remaining 583.41 km is under construction in several packages with target completion date of March 2024.[10]
  • 2022 Oct: 1,458 km long route, out of 1,540 km long approved DPR, is complete and operational. Remaining 82 km is under construction. Another nearly 300 km long roure is either being completed under other projects or the DPRs are in various stages of preparation and approval.[9]
  • 2025 Sep: The upgrade of the entire ~1600 km route is complete except ~110 km including ~25 km long Bordumsa-Khrasang-Jairampur, ~25 km long Kharsang-Miao, and ~60 km long Longding-Mon sections.
Arunachal Pradesh connectivity projects
Northeast connectivity projects

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c A NOTE ON TRANS-ARUNACHAL HIGHWAY, Arunachal PWD, 13 Feb 2008.
  2. ^ "Start and end points of National Highways". Government of India. Archived from the original on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  3. ^ "Road network funding". Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
  4. ^ "Is hectic highway building in Arunachal Pradesh leading to more landslides?". Scroll. 14 July 2017.
  5. ^ Bidding process for trans-Arunachal highway complete, Business Standard
  6. ^ Trans Himalayan Highway route, Scroll India.
  7. ^ Vishnoi, Anubhuti (22 May 2008). "Trans-Arunachal Highway upgraded, is now NH-52B". Indian Express. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  8. ^ Arunachal Dy CM Lays Foundation Stone of Bridge over Bari River, North East Today, 11 Dec 2017.
  9. ^ a b Arunachal Pradesh: Inter-corridors between two highways proposed, Times of India, 20 Oct 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d "'Four agencies executing Trans Arunachal Highway' Says CM Pema Khandu". Sentinel Assam. 28 August 2021.
  11. ^ Sela pass tunnel, Economic Times, 1 Feb 2018.
  12. ^ Sela tunnel construction to start soon, Business Standard, 21 Nov 2018.
  13. ^ Arunachal Pradesh: Inter-corridors between two highways proposed, Economic Times, 20 Oct 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g Centre Clears Construction Of 6 Corridors In Arunachal Near China Border, NDTV, 20 Oct 2022.
  15. ^ a b c Two important North East Circuits under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Central Tourism Ministry inaugurated in Arunachal Pradesh today, PIB India, 15 Nov 2018.
  16. ^ "Dibang bridge icing on road building cake". Arunachal Observer. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  17. ^ "Largest and longest bridges in India". Tentaran.
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