ITANAGAR, Apr 23: Fulfilling a long-pending demand, a key RCC bridge connecting Hijum Rime in West Siang district was inaugurated on Wednesday, marking a major boost to connectivity in the remote region.
The development comes in the wake of a sustained protest by residents in 2023, who coined the slogan “No road, no bridge, no vote” to highlight decades of neglect. The agitation gained widespread attention and intensified ahead of the 2024 state assembly elections, with villagers even abstaining from voting in protest over the absence of a proper bridge.
For years, the community had relied on a precarious makeshift crossing fashioned from a single wooden log, cutting them off from essential services such as healthcare, education, employment and basic supplies.
The protest was later withdrawn after then MLA candidate Topin Ete assured that the bridge would be taken up on priority if elected. Following his victory, the state government sanctioned the Hijum Rime bridge project at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore.
Built by the Public Works Department (PWD), the 15-metre RCC bridge was completed in just 11 months, far ahead of the stipulated three-year timeline.
The bridge was inaugurated by adviser to the PWD Minister Phurpa Tsering, in presence of local MLA Ete.
Speaking on the occasion, Tsering said the bridge symbolizes the government’s commitment to reaching the last mile. “This bridge is not just a structure of concrete, but a lifeline for the people of Hijum Rime. It reflects our resolve to address long-standing connectivity gaps and ensure that no village remains cut off from basic services,” he said.
He further assured that infrastructure development in the region would continue in a phased manner.
Calling it a ‘landmark achievement’, Ete said the project was his top priority post-election and credited its swift completion to the support of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Tsering, and the executing agency.
While welcoming the new infrastructure, villagers submitted a memorandum raising other pressing concerns, including poor road connectivity, erratic power supply and inadequate healthcare facilities. They demanded the construction of a 1.5-km road and an additional 15-km stretch to improve access to the area.
Responding to the demands, Tsering assured that the 1.5-km road would be completed within the year, while the longer stretch would be taken up with the Chief Minister.
Ete also assured residents that improvements in electricity and healthcare services would follow once all-weather road connectivity is established.