Itanagar: In order to boost the economy of Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Pema Khandu today asked officials to expedite land acquisition process for 31.50 km four-lane highway from Banderdewa to Chandranagar near here.

Khandu convened a high level meeting with officials to discuss the status of Trans Arunachal Highway and Itanagar- Banderdewa four-lane highway, an official release said.

The Chief Minister instructed the officials concerned to make a thorough survey of the route keeping in mind the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways.

As widening of the road would require eviction as well as land acquisition, he asked them to explore all negotiation processes, to convince the affected people by involving local representatives.

He suggested them to find out ways so that minimum damage is made to the public and private properties.

Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin, while briefing Khandu about the highway project, said the DPR for the project has already been submitted to the Centre.

Gamlin suggested that open spaces for avenue plantation, cycling corridor and walking path should be kept along the National Highway for beautification.

Having very low road density of 25.74 km roads per 100 sq km, the state needs good quality roads to connect district headquarters and remote border areas, she said.

“With this purpose, the state government is proposing a Frontier Highway running parallel to the Trans-Arunachal Highway at 4,000-5,000 metre above the mean sea level,” she said, adding the highway would connect border community development blocks covering 1,856 remote villages of the state.

Besides providing security and confidence for both the civilian and defence personnel along the border, the road would boost tourism in the state, the chief secretary said.

Gamlin requested the chief minister to take up the matter with the Defence Ministry.