Road networks form an important part of infrastructure which contributes to the socio-economic welfare of a region. With this in mind Project Arunank run by the Indian Army has played a vital role in the development of strategic roads and in a larger perspective, the overall communication system, designed for the socio economic development of Arunachal Pradesh. Majority of roads under Project Arunank pass through treacherous thick forests and hostile hilly terrain, states the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) website.

Representational image; Source – Sanjay Austa

In an article written by Claude Arpi for the Indian Defence Review blog, on April 6, the BRO opened a new road to one of India’s most remote villages, near the frontier with China (Tibet). The Army’s engineers have managed to connect Tame Chung Chung, a remote tiny village in Upper Subanisiri district of Arunachal Pradesh to the rest of the country.

The new road follows the old pilgrimage route. The inhabitants of Tame Chung Chung village, locally known as the ‘Land of Snakes’, had dreamed of this road for decades, but like for many other ‘normal’ things, for the border populations it remained a dream. The BRO explains: “The area is located in an extremely remote area with rugged terrains, thick vegetation and inhospitable weather. The place has remained inaccessible since 2009.”

The most difficult route (because of the rough terrain and hard rocks) and strategically important (because the Chinese presence nearby) was the Nacho-Tame Chung Chung section in Upper Subansiri district. The BRO statement mentions that the village is located at the confluence of Taksing and Maja valleys: “[it] acts as a gateway to both the valleys and its connectivity was essential for further development of the area.”

The BRO admitted that a large number of personnel suffered severe injuries during the construction work and equipment worth crores of rupees was lost in landslides. Think Change India congratulates the 128 Road Construction Company of the 23 Border Roads Task Force (Project Arunank) for accomplishing this herculean task.

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