Trans-Arunachal Highway


The Trans-Arunachal Highway, 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 the tri-junction of Assam-Nagaland-Arunachal Pradesh. It connects at least 16 districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
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 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.
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. 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.

Project details

Route: existing

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.
  • Tuting-Moreh Highway: Tuting-Pango-Payum-Silapathar-Bogibeel-Tuli-Tuensang-Ukhrul-Nambashi-Yongkhul-Keipham-Khudengthabi:
  • * From Tuting in Arunachal to Bogibeel Bridge to Tuli : via Lezai Miri Pathergam, Naharani on NH-2, Hati Barua and Charimuthia Gaon to Changdhore.
  • * Changdhore-Lahon-Yaongyimsen: greenfield.
  • * Ladaihgarh to Tuli: brownfield.
  • * Zunheboto-Jessami: greenfield upgrade.
  • * Jorcheng-Shirui Ching-Wuyakachui: greenfield upgrade.
  • * Wuyakachi-Ningchou: brownfield upgrade
  • * Ningchou-Nh102A Khonglo: greenfield.
  • 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, Damak, to Chichhora 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.
See the following, listed west to east:
  • Thelamara-Tawang-Nelia inter-corridor, 402 km.
  • Itakhola-Seppa-Parsi Parlo inter-corridor, 391 km.
  • Gogamukh-Taliha-Tato inter-corridor, 285 km.
  • Akajan-Jorging-Pango inter-corridor, 398 km.
  • Pasighat-Bishing inter-corridor.
  • Kanubari-Longding inter-corridor, 404 km.

Tourism

Swadesh Darshan Tourist Circuits along the highways in Arunachal: In 2015 under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the Indian approved the funds to develop the following two tourist circuits in Arunachal Pradesh:
  • * "Bhalukpong-Bomdila-Tawang Tourist Circuit" along the Arunachal Frontier Highway at the cost of ₹49.77 crore: The "facilities like accommodation, cafeteria, wayside amenities, last mile connectivity, pathways, toilet were built at Sorang Monastery, Lumpo, Zemithang, Bumla Pass, Gritsang, TSO lake, PTSO Lake, Thingbu and Grenkha Hot Spring, Lumla, Sela Lake." A multipurpose hall was built at Jang.
  • * "Nafra-Seppa-Pappu-Pasa-Pakke Valleys-Sangdupota-New Sagalee-Ziro-Yomcha Tourist Circuit" along the Trans-Arunachal Highway at the cost of ₹97.14 crores: The "helipad, wayside amenities, trekking trails, rafting centre, log huts, craft bazaar, eco park, tourist facilitation centres, parking, multipurpose Hall, festival ground etc." were built.

Current status

2018 Feb: Tawang to Wakro NH-13 became operational in 2018 when 6.2 km long Dibang River Bridge was completed across Dibang River. This completion of entire NH-13, partially completes the route for Trans-Arunachal Highway.2021 Aug: TAH, from Tawang to Kanubari, is being constructed by 4 entities: Arunachal Pradesh state PWD, 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 2024.2022 Oct: 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.2025 Sep: The upgrade of the entire ~1600 km route is complete except ~110 km including ~25 km long Bordumsa-Khrasang-Jairampur, ~25 km long Kharsang-Miao, and ~60 km long Longding-Mon sections.

Related connectivity

; Arunachal Pradesh connectivity projects
; Northeast connectivity projects