Two student organisations in Arunachal Pradesh have given the state government a 15-day ultimatum to begin restoring the Akajan–Likabali–Bame (ALB) Road, alleging that the strategically important route has been neglected for decades despite repeated assurances.
The Basar Area Students Union (BASU) and the Jigo Yegi Student Union, acting under a Joint Action Committee (JAC), submitted a representation to the Deputy Commissioners of Lower Siang and Leparada districts, urging immediate steps to repair the road and improve connectivity.
Stretching about 100 km, the Akajan–Likabali–Bame Road is a key transport link connecting the districts of Lower Siang, Leparada, West Siang, Shi Yomi and Upper Subansiri. It also provides access to the border regions of Mechuka and Tuting, making it important for both civilian movement and defence operations.
Speaking to reporters, Joint Action Committee chairman Nyakar Taipodia alleged that the road has never been developed into an all-weather route despite repeated promises made over the years.
“Instead of improving, the road condition has continued to worsen every year. It is not only causing immense hardship to the public but also poses a serious national security concern, as the Likabali Army base depends on this road for movement of defence personnel and military equipment,” he said.
BASU president and Joint Action Committee vice-chairman Giken Riba also criticised elected representatives, alleging that responsibility for the project has been shifted between different implementing agencies instead of ensuring its timely completion.
“Our leaders have remained silent while passing the responsibility between NHIDCL and GREF. This strategic road has suffered due to lack of coordination and accountability,” he alleged.
The student organisations noted that the Central Government has recently declared the Akajan–Likabali–Bame Road a strategic road project. They said there have been growing demands to hand over its execution to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to speed up construction and ensure better implementation.
The Joint Action Committee described the road as a vital economic and defence corridor, saying it plays an important role in the transportation of essential goods, public connectivity and military logistics across several frontier districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
Warning of stronger protests, the student bodies said they would launch a wider democratic agitation if the government failed to initiate concrete steps to restore and upgrade the road within the next 15 days.
