KHARSANG: The growing demand for a motorable suspension bridge over the Noa-Dehing River connecting Miao with Pisi in Changlang district has at last been fulfilled. At least for the moment. Senior leader of the region, Minister for Power, Parliamentary Affairs, Environment & Forest Setong Sena, during a public meeting at Kharsang on August 4, made the commitment to construct a bridge at the said point under TFC within the current financial year.

Reportedly, a strong demand was made by the people of the area to former Chief Minister late Dorjee Khandu during his visit to Miao in February to attend the 6th Namdapha Eco-Cultural Festival. Khandu, who assured to initiate steps for construction of the bridge, unfortunately could not materialize it due to his premature death in a tragic air crash two months later.

Sena has been convinced of the significance of a suspension bridge over Noa-Dehing River that will not only connect Miao with Pisi, but also with Diyun circle and Lohit district. He is of the view that a motorable suspension bridge would undoubtedly do away with the communication bottleneck in the way of tourism and socio-economic development of the region.

It is noteworthy that the right bank which has large human habitation remains cut-off owing to floods every summer. Under such circumstances the light ferry services downstream run by the Miao Anchal Samiti is often suspended and the Rope Way Service operated by Oil India Limited at Pisi remains the only means of communication. But in recent times, the OIL authority closed down the service following a report from AK Yadav of the Water Resource Department.

With the closure of the ropeway, not only the general public but government departments are also undergoing hardships of varied magnitudes.

“Running the Rope Way is the social responsibility of OIL and therefore closing the service without taking the public into confidence deserves condemnation,” Sena said. He assured to take up the matter urgently with the OIL authority to ensure resumption of the -uch needed service.

Meanwhile, the news of Sena’s commitment to grant a suspension bridge and urge for resumption of the Rope Way service has given the general public of Miao Sub-Division, especially those living on the right bank, a chance to heave a sigh of relief.