The central government has recently given permission for a 1,500 km long two-lane Frontier Highway in Arunachal Pradesh. The highway, which will be developed by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), is estimated to cost Rs 273.49 billion.

The road runs close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. It is regarded as one of India's largest and toughest road construction projects.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said this week, “Very recently, MoRTH has authorized the 1,500 km Frontier Highway which would connect all the border areas of the state from east to west, and connecting highways between the highways of about 1,000 km.”

China has built more than 600 border defense villages along its border with India in Tibet. Some of these villages are said to have come into Indian territory under Chinese occupation.

The proposed route starts in Mago, which borders Bhutan, and continues through Tawang, Upper Subansiri, Tuting, Mechuka, Upper Siang, Debang Valley, Desali, Chaglagam, Kibithu, and Dong before ending in Vijayanagar, which is close by. the Myanmar border.

Speaking about the proposed highway, Khandu said, “1962 is a history that will never be repeated. In 1962 (when China invaded India) the scenario was very different. The infrastructure in the region was very poor. Despite that, the Indian Army fought bravely…but today we are not what we were in 1962.”

The construction of the Arunachal Frontier Highway will give the army a significant capacity boost. With this project, Arunachal Pradesh will have three national highways: the Frontier Highway, the East-West Industrial Corridor Highway and the Trans-Arunachal Highway.