In a major administrative decision, the Centre has handed over the ambitious Frontier Highway project in Arunachal Pradesh to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), leaving the state’s Public Works Department (PWD) out of the execution process despite its early involvement in the project.
The move, initiated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, marks a shift in the implementation strategy of one of the most significant infrastructure projects planned along India’s northern frontier. As per the new arrangement, NHIDCL will be responsible for the eastern stretch of the proposed highway, while BRO will take charge of construction in the western sector.
The Frontier Highway, estimated to cost around Rs 42,000 crore, is considered a strategically important project as it runs close to the Indo-Tibet border. The proposed road is expected to improve connectivity in some of the most remote and inaccessible areas of Arunachal Pradesh, while also strengthening strategic mobility along sensitive border regions.
However, the decision to exclude the state PWD has reportedly caused disappointment among officials in Arunachal Pradesh. Sources indicate that concerns have already been raised with Chief Minister Pema Khandu, with officials questioning why the department was sidelined despite being associated with the project since its initial stages.
While the Centre has not issued any formal explanation for the change, sources suggest that the decision may be linked to ongoing issues related to land compensation in East Kameng district. The matter is currently under investigation, and it is believed that these concerns may have influenced the Centre’s choice to entrust the project to central agencies.
The development has added a layer of uncertainty to the early phase of the project, even as expectations remain high regarding its long-term impact. Once completed, the Frontier Highway is expected to play a key role in improving road connectivity, boosting local economic activity, and enhancing access to border areas.
