HT Correspondent
ITANAGAR, Oct 8: The Arunachal Road Development and Safety Forum (ARDSF) has alleged widespread anomalies and irregularities in road construction projects across the state, citing recurring loss of lives and property due to poor road conditions.
The organisation announced plans to launch a series of road safety awareness camps across Arunachal Pradesh to sensitise the public on the issue.
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Addressing reporters at the Arunachal Press Club on Tuesday, ARDSF Convenor said that the NGO has been engaged in various awareness activities since its establishment but continues to witness poor quality road construction and inadequate maintenance despite repeated public appeals.
“We are deeply dissatisfied with the condition of many roads constructed for the people of the state.
Although funds and provisions exist for repair and maintenance, proper upkeep is not carried out even after repeated requests from citizens and media reports,” the Convenor said.
Terming road connectivity as the “mother of all development,” the Convenor cited examples of the Itanagar–Hollongi road and other stretches that have remained in poor condition for years.
“Despite continuous repair work, these roads fail to meet the standards prescribed under the four-lane guidelines of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Missing signage and road signals have contributed to numerous accidents, resulting in the loss of hundreds of precious lives,” he added.
The ARDSF team recently inspected the NH-415 stretch from Hollongi to Banderdewa and claimed to have found multiple construction faults, attributing them to frequent accidents.
The Convenor alleged that substandard materials, poor supervision, and lack of monitoring during construction have caused the roads to deteriorate rapidly, particularly during the monsoon season.
“Frequent damage is a result of compromised quality and absence of timely maintenance. If proper care was taken at the initial stage, roads would not deteriorate so fast,” he said.
The Convenor emphasised the need for improved safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic rules to reduce accidents. “Essential road safety features are missing at several points.
Drivers and commuters must follow rules such as wearing helmets, using seatbelts, avoiding drink and drive, using dippers at night, and preventing underage driving,” he said, adding that “one should always remember that loved ones are waiting at home — life should not be lost on the road.”
Announcing the forum’s upcoming initiatives, the Convenor said ARDSF would soon begin an extensive awareness campaign starting from the Itanagar Capital Complex and gradually expand to other districts.
The programme will involve traffic authorities, police, and media personnel to promote responsible driving and collective road safety awareness among citizens.
“Our goal is to make every commuter — whether a driver or pedestrian — aware of safety measures and ensure that road safety becomes a shared responsibility across the state,” the ARDSF Convenor added.
