Itanagar: Amid the nationwide lockdown, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu inaugurated the Hangpan Dada Subansiri bridge in a unique manner, that is, via video conferencing on Monday.
Taking to Twitter, he wrote, “A momentous occasion today to have inaugurated Hangpan Dada Subansiri bridge thru video conferencing. Innovative way at times of coronavirus. I am confident that nothing can come in our way as we build our country’s resilience, strength and courage to beat the pandemic.”
The bridge over Subansiri river, which is the only line of communication for villages situated on the other side of the river to Daporijo under Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, was in a dilapidated condition.
The strategic 430-foot multi-span bridge is very significant because it will provide hassle-free communication to Daporijo and around 451 villages, including all the forward locations along LAC where Indian security forces are deployed.
Lately, it was noticed that due to the bad condition of the bridge, there were huge risks of untoward incidents. After this, the state government made up its mind to reconstruct the bridge with the government of India.
The reconstruction work of the bridge started in full swing from March 17, a few days before the first phase of 21-day lockdown was announced.
Despite various problems faced particularly due to national lockdown due to COVID-19, the BRTF took up the construction work on a war footing and within a short period of around one month, the BRO completed the construction work.
While congratulating the team over a video conference, CM Khandu said: “I extend my gratitude to the BRO particularly DGBR who has been very prompt in carrying out the construction work by taking personal interest.”
“I would like to congratulate him and his officers, which is, Chief Engineer of Project ARUNANK Brig A S Chonker, Commander 23 BRTF Col Satyan Sundaran and OC 77 RCC Mr PN Sahu. I also congratulate the people of Daporijo and Upper Subansiri district on completion of this bridge,” Khandu added.
“I appreciate the wise decision taken by chief secretary Naresh Kumar and district administration led by deputy commissioner Kanto Danggen in allowing the BRO to carry out the construction work amid COVID 19 lockdown,” said the CM.
