Trans-Arunachal Highway

The Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH), which includes an existing route comprising NH-13 () and parts of NH-15 (), NH-215 () and SH-25, is an under-construction 2-lane more than long highway passing through 16 districts in Arunachal Pradesh state in India. It runs from LAC in Tawang in northwest to Kanubari in southeast at tri-junction of Assam-Nagaland-Arunachal Pradesh. It connects at least 16 districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Start and end points of National Highways-Source-Government of IndiaRoad network fundingMODNER
/ref>Is hectic highway building in Arunachal Pradesh leading to more landslides?
Scroll, 14 July 2017.Bidding process for trans-Arunachal highway complete
Business StandardTrans Himalayan Highway route
Scroll India.

The Trans-Arunachal Highway, passing through the entire length of the state, roughly divides Arunachal Pradesh state in two parts - the upper two-third in north and east and lower one-third. At least 1811 km route already exists as national highway, and remaining are either greenfield or an upgrade of existing routes to national highway standard. It starts from India's north most military post (north of Hathung La Ridge) in Tawang district, goes via Zemithang, Tawang, Bomdila, Nechipu, Seppa, Sagalee, Yupia, Yazali, Ziro, Daporijo, Aalo, Pasighat, southern part of Dibang Valley district, Lohit, Roing, Tezu, Mahadevpur, Bordumsa, Namchik, Changlang, Khonsa, Longding, and ends at Kanubari.A NOTE ON TRANS-ARUNACHAL HIGHWAY
Arunachal PWD, 13 Feb 2008.

The Trans-Arunachal Highway greatly helps in reducing isolation of the people by connecting the district headquarters, major hydro electric power projects and other important places. Trans-Arunachal Highway, along with the under-construction Arunachal East-West Corridor across the lower foothills inside Arunachal Pradesh along the Assam border and the proposed Arunachal Frontier Highway along the China border, are important enablers of Northeast development and India's Look East connectivity strategy.Arunachal Dy CM Lays Foundation Stone of Bridge over Bari River
North East Today, 11 Dec 2017. This strategically important highway network enhances Indian military's capabilities in combating the threat of China's Western Theater Command opposite India's eastern sector of Line of Actual Control.

In October 2022, 1,458 km long route was complete and already operational. TAH, from Tawang to Kanubari in Longding district has a target completion date of March 2024.

History

In January 2008, the project was announced by then Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh.

Construction agencies

Following follow agencies are responsible for the construction of TAH in several packages.

* Arunachal Pradesh state Public Works Department (APPWD): responsible for the 978 km, of which 394.59 km is already complete by Aug 2021, and remaining 583.41 km is under construction in several packages with target completion date of March 2024.
* Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
* Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
* National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)

Project details

Route: existing

* Tawang-Seppa: Existing NH-13.
Sela Tunnel, with target completion by Jan/Feb 2022, will provide shorter all-weather alternative connectivity.Sela pass tunnel
Economic Times, 1 Feb 2018.Sela tunnel construction to start soon
Business Standard, 21 Nov 2018.

* Nag Mandir - Gohenthan: Missing direct connectivity.
There is no direct route, the present alternate connectivity is via a semi-circular NH-13 loop through Doimukh

* Gohenthan-Seppa: Existing NH-13.

* Seppa- Yachuli: Missing direct connectivity.
There is no direct route, the present alternate connectivity is via a semi-circular NH-13 loop through Doimukh.

* Yachuli-Pasighat-Wakro: Existing NH-13.

* Wakro-Namsai: Existing NH-15.

* Namsai-Jairampur: Missing direct connectivity. Existing longer alternate route is outside Arunachal Pradesh and it runs through Assam as NH-215 and NH-315.

* Jairampur-Longvi-Changlang-Longding-Kanubari- NH-702: upgrade of existing, present status is unknown.

* Bordumsa- Vijoynagar: Missing upgrade. Rough connectivity exists, upgrade of existing routes to NH standard and construction of Piyong-Goju bridge on Noadhing River as well as environmental approval for road through Namdapha National Park are needed.

Route: yet to be constructed/upgraded

Following are either greenfield connectivity or upgrade of existing roads to national highway standard,

* West
** Rupa-Bhutan border: upgrade of existing from NH-13 - Sheggaon - Ching - Sumdrung, then greenfield to Bhutan border.
** Rahung- Sube (Dizanggania) direct route: to construct the missing direct connectivity along Kameng River via BICHOM dam.
** Nag Mandir - Gohenthan direct route: Construct greenfield.
** Seppa- Yachuli direct route: to construct the missing direct connectivity via Mengio HQ and Meomey Sullong

* East
** Namsai-Jairampur spur: Upgrade of existing connectivity from Namsai on NH-15, via Piyong - greenfield bridge over Noadhing River - Goju - Namchick Check Post, to Jairampur.
** Bordumsa- Vijoynagar spur: Upgrade of existing connectivity from Bordumsa on NH-215, via Goju - greenfield bridge over Noadhing River (same bridge as mentioned in Namsai-Jairampur spur) - Piyong - Namdapha National Park - Vijoynagar - Myanmar border.

Future extensions

Following extensions are needed to optimise the connectivity with the neighboring states and beyond, as these extensions will enable the larger national strategic objectives including eliminating the vulnerability of Siliguri Corridor.

* Changlang-Bogibeel Bridge spur: Greenfield Changlang-Soha Camp-Deomali-Namrup, upgrade of existing Namrup - Digahlia No 2 - 1 No Lengeri Gaon - Geori Gaon, then continue on existing NH-2- Lepet Kata, from Lepetkata on NH-2 to Bogibeel Bridge.
** Bogibeel Bridge to Tuli extension of above: via Lezai Miri Pathergam, Naharani on NH-2, Hati Barua and Charimuthia Gaon to Changdhore, greenfield from Changdhore and Lahon to Yaongyimsen Comp. Ladaihgarh to Tuli spur.

* Sumdrung in Arunachal - Kangpar-Pasapu-Narpu in Bhutan
** Arunachal-Sikkim via Bhutan: Narpu-Galechugaon-Darphu-Chukka-Dengna-Dorokha - Rango Forest on India-Bhutan border, to NH-717A at beginning of SH-12
** SH-12: Upgrade from Bhutan border to Nepal border at Mana Bhanjang.
** Nepal-India connectivity: Mana Bhanjang on Nepal-West Bengal border to Gooduk (upgrade existing), Damak (greenfield), to Chichhora (upgrade existing F02) on Nepal-Bihar border.
** Bihar connectivity: upgrade existing SH-99 Chichhora-Jogihat-Baisi to NH-29.

Six Inter-corridor highways

To providing missing interconnectivity between three horizontal national highways across Arunachal Pradesh - Frontier Highway, Trans-Arunachal Highway and East-West Industrial Corridor Highway - following six vertical and diagonal national highway corridors of total 2178 km length will be built, which will also provide faster access to geostrategically important areas on India-China LAC.Arunachal Pradesh: Inter-corridors between two highways proposed
Economic Times, 20 Oct 2022.Centre Clears Construction Of 6 Corridors In Arunachal Near China Border
NDTV, 20 Oct 2022.

Listed west to east.

* Thelamara-Tawang-Nelia Highway: 402 km long highway connecting Thelamara in Assam to Kamengbari-Doimara, Shergaon, new greenfield highway along Bhutan-Arunachal border, Grelleng, Tawang, and Nelia on LAC border.

* Itakhola-Pakke-Kessang-Seppa- Parsi Parlo Highway: 391 km long highway will connect Itakhola in Assam, Seijosa southeast corner of Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal, Pakke Kessang circle HQ, Seppa HQ of East Kameng district, Chayangtajo circle HQ in East Kameng district, Sangram circle HQ on Koloriang-Ziro highway in Kurung Kumey district, Parsi Parlo circle HQ east of Koloriang district HQ of Kurung Kamey district.

* Gogamukh- Taliha-Tato Highway: 285 km long highway from Gogamukh in Assam to Taliha (north of Daporijo HQ of Upper Subansiri district) and Tato (northeast of Taliha).

* Akajan- Jorging-Pango Highway: 398 km long highway from Akajan near Silapathar in Assam to Aalo, Jorging (Jorsing), Pango (in Migging circle) south to Tuting in LAC).

* Pasighat-Bishing Highway: 298 km long highway to connect Pasighat to Bishing on LAC border with a straight alignment.

* Kanubari-Longding Highway: 404 km long highway.

Current status

* Feb 2018: Tawang to Wakro NH-13 became operational in 2018 when 6.2 km long Dibang River Bridge was completed across Dibang River.Largest and longest bridges in India
ww.tentaran.com Tentaran This completion of entire NH-13, partially completes the route for Trans-Arunachal Highway.

* Aug 2021: TAH, from Tawang to Kanubari, is being constructed by 4 entities: Arunachal Pradesh state PWD (APPWD), BRO, MoRTH, and NHIDCL. Of the 978 km allocated to APPWD, 394.59 km is already complete and remaining 583.41 km is under construction in several packages with target completion date of March 2024.'Four agencies executing Trans Arunachal Highway' Says CM Pema Khandu
entinelassam.com Sentinel Assam 28 Aug 2021.

* October 2022: 1,458 km long route, out of 1,540 km long approved DPR, is complete and operational. Remaining 82 km is under construction. Another nearly 300 km long roure is either being completed under other projects or the DPRs are in various stages of preparation and approval.Arunachal Pradesh: Inter-corridors between two highways proposed
Times of India, 20 Oct 2022.

Related connectivity

; Arunachal Pradesh connectivity projects
* Bhalukpong-Tawang railway, under-construction
* Arunachal Frontier Highway, proposed along Indo-China border across upper Arunachal Pradesh
* Arunachal East-West Corridor, proposed across foothills of lower upper Arunachal Pradesh

; Northeast connectivity projects
* Northeast Connectivity projects
* Look-East Connectivity projects
* North-South and East-West Corridor
* India-Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Highway
* BCIM Economic Corridor
* Asian Highway Network
* List of bridges on Brahmaputra River

See also

* List of National Highways in India (by Highway Number)
* List of National Highways in India
* National Highways Development Project
* Expressways of India
* Golden Quadrilateral (GQ)

References

{{Indian Highways Network

Proposed roads in India
Proposed infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh
Roads in Arunachal Pradesh