The Arunachal Pradesh government has directed a comprehensive physical re-verification of land acquisition and compensation related to the Lada–Sarli Frontier Highway project in East Kameng district, covering Packages I to V. The decision follows the submission of a report by a fact-finding committee that flagged the need for a fresh ground-level assessment.
Acting on the report, the Department of Land Management has constituted dedicated re-verification committees, with the entire exercise to be conducted under the direct supervision of the East Kameng deputy commissioner. According to the official order, all land parcels falling within the approved Right of Way will be physically verified on-site, strictly in line with the sanctioned strip plan for the highway.
Officials said the findings from the physical verification will be cross-checked against compensation awards prepared earlier by a committee constituted in January 2025. The re-verification teams have been instructed to draw up detailed comparative statements capturing chainage, names of beneficiaries, land area, standing assets and compensation payable as per the Manual 2022. Any discrepancies or variations from earlier assessments must be clearly recorded, with the entire process to be videographed and documented to prescribed standards.
Separate committees have been formed for Packages I and II, Packages III and IV, and Package V. Each committee includes representatives from land management, public works, horticulture, fisheries, agriculture and forest departments to ensure a comprehensive, sector-wise evaluation of claims.
Ground demarcation of the Right of Way will be facilitated by the chief engineer of PWD Highways, assisted by the executive engineer and project consultants, while the district administration will provide logistical support. To ensure transparency and security during the verification drive, three platoons of the Central Reserve Police Force will be deployed, and the Anti-Corruption Bureau will monitor the process.
The committees have been given 45 days from the date of the order to submit their reports. The government has sanctioned Rs 60 lakh to meet expenses related to the re-verification exercise. The order was issued on December 23, 2025, following approval from the chief secretary of Arunachal Pradesh.
