Arunachal's Arteries
Connecting the Himalayas: An In-depth Look at Arunachal Pradesh's Strategic Highway Network.
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Project Overview
The Corridor
The East-West Industrial Corridor Highway of Arunachal Pradesh is a proposed 2-lane highway spanning approximately 966.78 km. This includes the existing 274.20 km Pasighat-Manmao route. It is designed to traverse the lower foothills of Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Geographical Scope
The corridor originates at Bhairabkunda in Assam, situated at the tri-junction of Bhutan, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh in the west. It extends eastward to the Kanubari tri-junction, connecting Nagaland, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Governance and Planning
The Government of Arunachal Pradesh (GoAP) is responsible for preparing the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), which involve planning, surveys, and land acquisition approvals. These projects require subsequent approval from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Coordination with various government bodies, including the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and others, is essential for successful implementation.
Route Alignment
Corridor Overview
This significant highway project is planned to pass through at least 12 districts within Arunachal Pradesh, serving as a vital industrial corridor for the region's inhabitants. The initial phases (Phase I and II) cover approximately 692.58 km, with further extensions planned.
Phase I: Western Stretch
This phase covers the route from Pasighat to Bhairabkunda, spanning 545.45 km. It is further divided into four packages:
- Package-1: Pasighat to Naharlagun (308.45 km).
- Package-2A: Naharlagun to Seijosa (101.70 km) in Pakke-Kessang district.
- Package-2B: Seijosa to Bhalukpong (39.84 km).
- Package-2C: Bhalukpong to Bhairabkund (95.46 km), extending into Assam's Udalguri district.
Phase II: Eastern Stretch
This phase covers 147.13 km, connecting Tirap Gate at Manmao (Changlang district) to Kanubari (Longding district) via Khonsa (Tirap district) and Longding.
Phase III: Central Eastern Link
This phase focuses on upgrading existing routes and constructing new segments, including a bridge over the Noadhiang River at Miao. It connects Wakro to Nampong via Camp Namdhapa and Miao.
Phase IV: Brahmaputra Crossing
This phase involves constructing a new bridge over the Brahmaputra River (Sadiya Sille-Oyan bridge) and associated road links. It aims to significantly reduce the distance between Sille-Oyan and Sadiya, enhancing connectivity in a strategically important area.
Project Phases
Phase V: Eastern Extension
This phase extends connectivity from southeastern Arunachal Pradesh towards regions like Vijoynagar and the border areas of Walong, Dong, and Kibithu. It includes routes from Nampong to various points and upgrades existing tracks.
Phase VI: Central Assam Extension
Planned to link southeastern Arunachal Pradesh and eastern Assam to central Assam, potentially connecting to Sivasagar and beyond, enhancing broader regional integration.
Phase VII: Western Extension
This ambitious phase aims to extend connectivity westward, linking Arunachal Pradesh through Assam and the Siliguri Corridor to northern India, including Punjab. It involves upgrading existing routes and constructing new greenfield highways to bridge missing links.
Phase VIII: Southern Extension
This phase focuses on southern connectivity, linking Arunachal Pradesh and Assam to Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and potentially Bangladesh, further integrating the Northeast with neighboring regions and international trade routes.
Connectivity Impact
Inter-Corridor Highways
To ensure comprehensive connectivity, six vertical and diagonal national highway corridors are planned. These will link the major horizontal highways (Frontier, Trans-Arunachal, and East-West Industrial Corridor) across Arunachal Pradesh, totaling approximately 2178 km. These corridors are crucial for providing faster access to geostrategically important areas along the India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC).
National & International Links
The project is integral to broader national and international connectivity initiatives. It synergizes with projects like the Asian Highway Network, the India-Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Highway, and the BCIM Economic Corridor. These connections are vital for India's 'Look East' policy and regional economic development.
Key Inter-Corridor Routes
Notable inter-corridor highways include:
- Thelamara-Tawang-Nelia Highway (402 km).
- Itakhola-Pakke-Kessang-Seppa-Parsi Parlo Highway (391 km).
- Gogamukh-Taliha-Tato Highway (285 km).
- Pasighat-Bishing Highway (298 km).
- Kanubari-Longding Highway (404 km).
Future Expansion
National Integration
Future phases envision extending the corridor's reach across Assam and into northern India. This includes linking to major expressways and routes connecting states like West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab, thereby enhancing national integration and economic activity.
Southern Connectivity
The southern extension aims to connect Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Bangladesh. This strategic development is expected to boost trade and cultural exchange within the region and with neighboring countries.
Current Status
Project Milestones
An in-principle approval for the project was granted in 2015. As of March 2021, the DPR for Phase I was reportedly ready, with pre-DPR surveys for Phase II underway. However, several challenges have impacted progress.
Implementation Challenges
Key hurdles include awaiting approval for specific packages, delays in obtaining encumbrance-free land availability certificates from district authorities, and land acquisition and environmental clearance issues, particularly for alignments passing through protected areas like the Pakke Tiger Reserve.
Unreported Phases
As of the latest reports, there was no significant media coverage regarding the investigation, survey, or DPR preparation for the crucial Phase III, Phase IV, and subsequent expansion projects, indicating potential delays or a lack of public updates on these critical segments.
Tourism Development
Tourist Circuits
The highway network supports the development of key tourist circuits. Notably, the Bhalukpong-Bomdila-Tawang circuit along the Arunachal Frontier Highway and the Nafra-Seppa-Pappu-Pasa-Pakke Valleys-Sangdupota-New Sagalee-Ziro-Yomcha circuit, which utilizes parts of the Trans-Arunachal Highway and the East-West Industrial Corridor Highway, have been developed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Related Infrastructure
Key Projects
This highway is part of a larger vision for connectivity in the region. Related infrastructure projects include:
- List of national highways in India
- National Highways Development Project (NHDP)
- Expressways of India
- Golden Quadrilateral (GQ)
- Trans-Arunachal Highway
- Arunachal Frontier Highway
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References
References
- Arunachal Dy CM Lays Foundation Stone of Bridge over Bari River, North East Today, 11 Dec 2017.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not reflect the most current status or all details of the East-West Industrial Corridor Highway project.
This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for official project documentation, government reports, or consultation with infrastructure and transportation planning professionals. Always refer to official sources for the latest updates and accurate details regarding infrastructure projects.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.