Northeast Desk, 22nd June: Officials from the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC), accompanied by the Mayor, conducted a survey of the Karsingsa block point on NH-415 following a directive from the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. The assessment aimed at addressing the landslide crisis caused by heavy rainfall that has obstructed the road for several days, creating significant inconvenience for the public, according to Shweta Nagarkoti Mehta, Deputy Commissioner of Itanagar Capital Complex.
In a letter dated June 19, 2024, Nirjuli’s Executive Engineer of the PWD Highway Division reported that a portion of NH-415 and the Box Culvert near the Karsingsa Sinking Zone was washed out on June 18, 2024. The damage was attributed to unplanned earth cutting by the IMC for Solid Waste Management. The Deputy Commissioner of Itanagar stated in a letter to the IMC, “A complaint has been received from the Executive Engineer, PWD, Naharlagun Highway Division, Nijuli regarding the washed-out portion of NH-415 and Box Culvert due to rampant and unplanned earth cutting by the Itanagar Municipal Corporation for Solid Waste Management, causing significant inconvenience to the public.”
The Chief Minister has mandated immediate restoration efforts, with the Deputy Commissioner instructing that work commence promptly to ease the inconvenience faced by commuters and residents. The Executive Engineer’s letter also underscored unauthorized construction and damage to NH-415 caused by IMC’s activities.
Temporary restoration work is estimated to cost around Rs 15 lakhs, while permanent restoration might require approximately Rs 5 crore. The Mayor condemned the blame game, attributing the damage to unprecedented rainfall and assured that the IMC would support NGOs involved in the restoration efforts.
Social worker Tadar Takio mentioned that local citizens have contributed by using private machinery to temporarily open the path, demonstrating community solidarity in the face of the crisis.
Read More: Tripura’s Aradhya Das Wins Bronze at Asian Youth Chess Championship