Temporary repairs have begun on the damaged NH-415 Package-B stretch between Papu Nallah and Nirjuli in Arunachal Pradesh, but the Public Works Department has clarified that the work is only interim maintenance and not full reconstruction of the highway.
PWD (Highway) executive engineer Hage Tajang said the pothole-ridden road has been causing daily difficulties for commuters and residents across the Itanagar Capital Complex. The immediate maintenance is intended to address the damaged surface while a more comprehensive reconstruction project moves through a fresh tendering process.
The affected section has deteriorated severely, with potholes disrupting movement along an important corridor serving the capital region. The PWD has not described the current work as a permanent solution. Tajang specifically cautioned that the temporary repairs should not be mistaken for full-scale reconstruction.
According to Tajang, one major factor behind the deterioration has been the unregulated discharge of household and storm water onto the highway by nearby property owners. Heavy rainfall, combined with the uncontrolled flow of water, has eroded the road surface and weakened its subgrade, he said.
The explanation points to a drainage problem extending beyond the condition of the carriageway itself. Water entering the road structure can damage the surface and underlying layers, making repairs less durable when the drainage system remains unresolved. Tajang appealed to property owners and the public to ensure proper drainage arrangements and prevent water from flowing directly onto NH-415.
Local residents and organisations have warned of peaceful protests if comprehensive repairs are not expedited. Their concerns come as the damaged stretch continues to affect everyday travel in and around the Itanagar Capital Complex. The report did not specify the length of the affected section, the cost of the temporary maintenance, or the expected completion date for the reconstruction.
Tajang said NH-415 Package-B would undergo comprehensive reconstruction after the fresh tendering process is completed. He expressed optimism that the project would improve the corridor’s structural durability and connectivity once the permanent work is undertaken.
The next formal milestone is therefore the completion of tendering for the reconstruction package. Until that process is completed, the road will remain dependent on interim maintenance and better control of household and storm-water discharge along the corridor.
