Arunachal's Mebo, Dambuk set for improved connectivity with bridge over Taro-Tamak: MLA Tayeng

Oken Tayeng, the MLA of Arunachal’s 39th Mebo Assembly Constituency, asserted that the meeting between Oil India Limited officials and Chief Minister Pema Khandu was productive, as discussions focused on addressing critical infrastructure needs in the region, particularly the construction of a bridge over the Taro-Tamak River, connecting Namsing and Gadum villages.
 

During the meeting, participants acknowledged that exploration processes require multiple NOCs and formal approvals, making road and bridge connectivity essential for development.
 

It is worth mentioning that the Taro-Tamak river has been a source of hardship for the people of Lower Mebo villages. Daily commuters still rely on engine ferry boats. The situation worsened during the monsoon season of 2015, when the expansion of the Dibang River, triggered by extreme rainfall, caused the normally small Taro-Tamak River to merge with a portion of the Dibang River. This change gave the river a larger shape, resulting in large-scale destruction in the region, including the washing away of villages like Anpum and Loklung in the Paglam Circle of Lower Dibang Valley. 
 

The construction of a bridge over the Taro-Tamak River will be a boon for the people of Lower Mebo and Lower Dambuk areas of Arunachal Pradesh. It will also serve as a lifeline for upper Assam areas like Migmang, Masgao, and Omorpur, which rely on the Mebo-Dhola road to connect with other parts of Assam, including Jonai and Dhemaji. While ferrying across the Taro-Tamak River by boat, one can still see the half-constructed steel cantilever bridge suspended in the middle of the river, symbolising the untold tale of underdevelopment in the Lower Mebo areas.
 

The MLA expressed his gratitude to CM Khandu for his commitment and assurance regarding the infrastructural development of Mebo. “Your guidance and proactive approach in addressing key connectivity issues, especially the construction of the Taro-Tamak bridge, are deeply appreciated. The villages in lower Mebo, such as Mer, Gadum-I, Gadum-II, under Mebo Sub-Division in East Siang District, as well as Paglam, Banggo, Kaling-I, and Kaling-II in Dambuk Sub-Division of Lower Dibang Valley, have been facing connectivity issues for decades due to the absence of a bridge over the Taro-Tamak River,” said Tayeng.
 

With Oil India Limited and the PWD engaged in the process, we are optimistic about overcoming logistical challenges to ensure seamless development and connectivity in the region, he said, adding, “I am grateful to CM for his unwavering support in our collective efforts to uplift Mebo sub division."
 

CM Khandu expressed his gratitude for Oil India's commitment to the project, specifically acknowledging the contributions of CGM (Frontier Exploration) Arunav Baruah, DGM (Frontier Exploration) Aryama Tiwari, and Liaison Officer Dhananjay Morang.
 

The Chief Minister reaffirmed that under MLA Tayeng's guidance, the state government remains committed to facilitating development initiatives in the region.