The United Arunachal People’s Forum (UAPF) has demanded an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation into alleged irregularities in the construction of the Dari-Chambang road in Kra-Daadi district and reiterated its opposition to the installation of smart electricity meters in Arunachal Pradesh. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club on Monday, UAPF president Khyoda Daniel said the forum had already submitted a three-point memorandum to the state government and sent two delegations seeking action. He alleged that the government had not responded despite the expiry of the ultimatum issued by the forum. The forum also announced that it would organise a mega rally on August 8 to press the state government to act on its demands.
Speaking about the Dari-Chambang road project, Daniel said the UAPF conducted a spot verification of the road on July 8 after informing the media, local organisations and the authorities concerned in advance. According to him, officials of the Public Works Department (PWD), district administration, public representatives and members of the public were invited so that the inspection could be carried out in a transparent manner. However, Daniel alleged that no executive engineer, assistant engineer, junior engineer or any other PWD official attended the inspection. He also claimed that no district official or local public representative was present despite prior intimation. He said the presence of departmental officials would have allowed the condition of the road to be jointly verified and any concerns to be addressed on the spot. Sharing the forum’s findings, Daniel alleged that the road project suffered from several technical shortcomings. He claimed that many stretches lacked proper drainage, plastering and bracing works, while the water-bound macadam (WBM) layers had not been laid according to engineering specifications. He further alleged that certain portions of the road measured only about 2.7 metres in width, which he said was inadequate for a road that serves as a vital link for the Chambang area.
The UAPF urged the state government, Home Minister Mama Natung, the Anti-Corruption Bureau and other investigating agencies to conduct a thorough inquiry into the project. Daniel called for legal action against officials responsible for supervising the work, approving bills and releasing payments if any irregularities are found during the investigation.
