Itanagar, February 20, 2025 – Union Minister Kiren Rijiju hailed the ambitious Frontier Highway project as a transformative initiative for Arunachal Pradesh’s border areas during the state’s 39th Statehood Day celebrations held in Itanagar. Addressing a gathering at Indira Gandhi Park, Rijiju underscored that the highway, stretching approximately 1,400 kilometers, represents the largest road project in India’s history and a significant step toward bolstering development along the India-China border.
The Frontier Highway, officially designated as National Highway-913 (NH-913), is backed by an unprecedented central allocation of nearly Rs 42,000 crore, making it the single largest investment by the Government of India in any infrastructure project to date. The highway will connect 12 districts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), starting from Bomdila in the northwest and extending to Vijaynagar near the India-Myanmar border in the southeast. Key areas such as Tawang, Upper Subansiri, Mechuka, Tuting, Dibang Valley, and Kibithu will gain enhanced connectivity, fostering both economic growth and strategic preparedness.
Rijiju emphasized the project’s potential to reshape Arunachal Pradesh’s frontier regions, calling it a “game changer” for border development. “This highway will bring unparalleled transformation to our border areas, ensuring better infrastructure, accessibility, and security,” he stated. He credited the shift in developmental focus to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that prior to 2014, securing funds of this magnitude for a single project was a daunting challenge. “Since the Modi government took office, the Northeast has been a priority, with ministers directed to visit the region every 15 days to address local needs,” Rijiju added.
However, the Union Minister also voiced concerns over potential delays due to land compensation disputes. He urged citizens not to inflate claims or obstruct progress, warning that such actions could hinder the timely completion of the project. “Let us cooperate to ensure this historic initiative moves forward smoothly. Delays, like those faced by the East-West Corridor due to compensation and forest clearance issues, must be avoided,” he appealed.
The Frontier Highway aligns with India’s broader strategic vision, enhancing defense capabilities by facilitating faster movement of troops and equipment along the LAC. It is also expected to boost tourism and trade in one of India’s most resource-rich yet underdeveloped states. Rijiju highlighted that peace is a prerequisite for progress, describing Arunachal Pradesh as a land of immense potential waiting to be unlocked.
The Statehood Day event, attended by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, and Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) K.T. Parnaik, also marked the release of a coffee table book, Reminiscences in the Time (1947-1987), chronicling Arunachal Pradesh’s journey from the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) to full statehood in 1987. The celebrations underscored the state’s strides in development while reaffirming the government’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure growth.
As construction plans progress, the Frontier Highway is poised to redefine Arunachal Pradesh’s role in India’s northeastern landscape, bridging remote areas with the rest of the nation and strengthening its position along the international frontier.
